Come Back to What Matters
As we begin a new year, it’s a moment to pause and reflect: where are you right now—not just physically, but spiritually? Are you carrying burdens that feel too heavy? Have you felt far from God, weighed down by mistakes, regrets, or the simple exhaustion of life?
Here’s the truth: you are not alone. And you are not beyond the reach of grace.
This year, the Church celebrates the 2025 Jubilee Year, inviting us to journey as Pilgrims of Hope. Pilgrimage isn’t just about a physical journey; it’s about the movement of the heart—a call to step out in faith, leave behind the weight of the past, and walk towards God’s endless mercy and love.
Life has a way of breaking us down, sometimes in big ways and sometimes in the subtle erosion of joy and hope. The Church is meant to be a place of healing, not because of anything we bring, but because of what Christ has already done for us.
You don’t have to carry your sorrows or regrets alone. There is a place where you can lay them down, where you can trade your burdens for peace and your despair for hope.
How often do we cling to the past—our mistakes, failures, or the things that didn’t go as planned? We can’t go back and undo them, but we can choose to stop letting them define us.
God doesn’t wait for us to have it all together before we return to Him. In fact, He meets us right in the mess, right in the middle of our brokenness. This is the beauty of grace: it’s not earned; it’s freely given.
Why wait to come back? There’s no need to fix yourself first. There’s no need to pretend you’re fine. Come as you are.
The altar isn’t just a symbol; it’s an invitation. It’s the place where we bring all that we are—our hurts, our sins, our doubts—and exchange them for something infinitely better. It’s here that we encounter the One who makes all things new, who transforms ashes into beauty and sorrow into joy. It’s here that we remember we are not defined by our past but by His love.
If you’ve been away from the Church—whether for a few weeks, months, or even years—know that you are always welcome. The Church is a family, and like any family, it’s not perfect. But at its heart is the love of the Father, who waits with open arms.
This new year is an opportunity for a fresh start, a chance to reconnect with God and with His Church. Don’t let fear, shame, or the busyness of life hold you back.
The door is wide open. The Father is waiting. The choice is yours.