It is common practice since the 6th Century when notating a date to label the year with the letters "A.D."  A.D. connotes the Latin words Anno Domini (in the Year of the Lord).  In the Western World, previous dates were defined by the reign of a given consul or emperor or the Olympiad in which the date fell.  The new designation of a date as being "In the Year of the Lord" both underscores the importance of the date of the Incarnation and asserts that the Lord is still present in our time and space.  Mary names her son "Jesus", that means "God Saves", an action that continues through the past ages and will continue in the ages to come.  

Today we celebrate the beginning of a New Year of Grace, the Year of Our Lord 2012.  For many of us, the New Year is a time for reflection on the past and a time of prayers and hopes for the coming year.  It is a time for renewal, for resolutions, for starting clean and moving ahead.  Many people wait up to "see in" the New Year with these hope-filled expectations.  People gather with friends and family members to celebrate our ability to renew ourselves.  It appears to be instinctive for us as human beings to want to start again.

This year we celebrate our Diamond Jubilee as a parish, 75 years of proclaiming the Gospel and living out our faith.  It is a special time of starting again to recognize the presence of our Lord in us and in our work.  In a special way, we begin our year honoring Mary, the Mother of God on this, her feast, acknowledging that it is through her acceptance of God’s Will that the Word "became flesh and dwelt among us."  Mary becomes the model for every subsequent disciple of her son, Jesus as we strive to place ourselves at the disposal of the will of God.  

May the Grace and Consolation of God bless this New Year with peace.