PORTLAND, Maine — Bishop Robert P. Deeley of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland issued the following message for the New Year on Dec. 31, 2018.
“Happy New Year! We put the old behind us and look to the new. It is a fresh start offering new opportunities and expectations,” the bishop said.
“On New Year’s Day, January 1, the Church honors Mary, the Mother of God. She carried Jesus to the world. With her unconditional faith, our Blessed Mother saw the love of God in the sorrowful, the ordinary, and the joyful. She who placed her trust in God, saw his glory in everything.
“At the end of 2018, a challenging year for both our nation and our Church, the model of Mary offers a wonderful guide for our year ahead. Immerse yourself in God’s love and respond to His presence and grace by bringing that love to others. Share how God is working in your life with those around you and resolve to let God shape your heart to be more generous and loving. With eyes of faith and hope, you will know God’s presence in your daily life and it will bring you peace,” said the bishop.
He added, “May your new year be a time of commitment, courage, and renewal. Be assured of my prayers that 2019 will be a year full of blessing and joy for you and your loved ones.”
