by Frank Flegel

Archbishop Daniel Bohan’s first  homily of the year focused on a message of hope; the hope that comes with the birth of the Son of God, born of Mary. “We are not here to celebrate New Year’s Day,” said the Archbishop. “Over the whole world, the Church is celebrating the octave of Christmas, the feast of Mary, the Mother of God.” The birth of Jesus is a new beginning in our lives, said the Archbishop, a new beginning that is the salvation from all the darkness that afflicts people’s lives even the darkness of endless death. “We are here today to celebrate the meaning of our life and the hope that this new beginning gives us.”

The Mass was followed by the traditional Archbishop’s Annual Levee in the Holy Rosary Cathedral Auditorium. Archbishop Bohan; Monsignor Ken Miller; Chancellor, Very Reverend Tonny Dizy; Director of Personnel and Human Resources, Reverend Danilo Rafael; and Financial Officer, Reverend Deacon Barry Wood and his wife Sheila, were in the receiving line greeting well wishers. Members of the Cathedral Knights of Columbus directed the reception line with the assistance of several recipients of Papal and Archdiocesan Honours. Members of the Cathedral Catholic Women’s League prepared and served light fare,  tea, coffee or juice and K of C members served a glass of wine.