Pastor's Corner: 'We have much to celebrate this time of year'

My fellow Sauk Valley residents, such a privilege to be able to write to you! Some of my fellow Catholic priests say that the local newspapers in their towns don’t publish their writings.…yet another reason I love being here in Dixon!

“This is humanity at its best!” My mother once said that to me as we wandered through a crowded shopping mall this time of year. “Do you see how everyone is thinking, not of themselves, but of others? The rest of the year, people buy things for themselves, but not this season! All these people are out to get presents for others!”

We have much to celebrate this time of year.

For example, according to some historians, this Christmas begins the 2,025th year since Jesus’ birth. That’s a big anniversary! Pope Francis has invited everyone throughout the world to celebrate this special Jubilee together. And not just on Christmas Day itself, but for all of 2025. This upcoming year will be a Year of Favor from the Lord!

The word “jubilee” comes from the Hebrew word “yobel,” which is a kind of trumpet that our Jewish ancestors would use to announce a special year. We must make joyful noises in celebration this year!

Per Leviticus 25, in the spirit of canceling debts and setting captives free, Pope Francis has appealed to wealthier countries to forgive debts of poorer countries, and to see if some prisoners could be granted early parole. But above all those details, we celebrate how, on the cross, Jesus canceled our eternal debt and set us truly free! If that’s not worth celebrating, I don’t know what is!

This year’s Jubilee 2025 will get us ready for an even greater one. The year 2033 will be the 2,000th anniversary of the death and resurrection of Christ, and of the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room. As such, the theme for this current Jubilee is “Journeying into Hope,” or “Pilgrims of Hope.” The best is yet to come! Our world is in need of hope; the floodgates of God’s grace are opening this year. Lord, grant that our hearts may be equally open and ready to receive all that You want to give us! Make our beloved towns beacons of Your hope for all who pass by!

All the Catholics of Dixon would love for you to celebrate this year with us, however you wish. Your local Catholic pastors, Father Timothy Draper and I agree that you are most welcome at any and all of our Masses and devotions at St. Patrick’s and St. Anne’s. As well, for my fellow Christians, we would love for you to celebrate hope with us in your own churches, communities and families. Can there really be such a thing as too much hope? I didn’t think so either! A blessed Christmas and New Year to you and yours!

The Rev. John R. Evans is the pastor of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dixon.