The Gospel this weekend recounts the wedding feast at Cana, where Jesus performs His first public miracle, turning water into wine. This sign reveals His divine power and inaugurates His public ministry, symbolizing the abundance and joy of the Kingdom of God. The transformation of water into wine at the behest of Mary, His mother, also underscores the importance of intercessory prayer and obedience to Christ’s will. It is a moment that points forward to the ultimate "hour" of Jesus—the Paschal Mystery—when He will pour out His life for the salvation of the world.

The first reading from Isaiah expresses God’s delight in His people, likening their restoration to the joy of a bridegroom rejoicing in his bride. This imagery complements the Gospel, illustrating God’s covenantal love and His desire for an intimate relationship with humanity. Meanwhile, the second reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us of the diversity of spiritual gifts within the Body of Christ, all given by the same Spirit to serve and build up the community. These readings invite us to reflect on God’s generosity, the transformative power of Christ, and our role in participating in His mission.

As we move from the Christmas season into Ordinary Time, the rhythm of the Church year invites us to reflect on how Christ’s birth and manifestation as Savior shape our daily lives as disciples. Ordinary Time is not “ordinary” in the sense of being mundane; rather, it is a time to grow in faith and to live out the mysteries we celebrated during Advent and Christmas in practical ways.

The transition into Ordinary Time in the New Year is an ideal moment for renewal and growth. Over the past two years, I have been blessed to witness the many ways in which our parish family lives out its faith. St. Michael Parish is one community, united in Christ, yet it is clear that each of our six churches has its own unique gifts, traditions, and strengths. These distinctions reflect the diversity of the Body of Christ and are a testament to the richness of our shared faith.

At the same time, I have come to see that while much is happening within our parish, it is not always clear to everyone how each church contributes to our collective mission. Additionally, there are needs and opportunities within each community that we could address more effectively if we were better connected and more intentional in our efforts. To build on the good work already taking place and to help our parish grow even stronger, I am excited to introduce a new initiative: Parish Church Leadership Teams for each of our six churches.
The purpose of these teams is twofold: to strengthen the individual identity and mission of each church while fostering greater unity across the entire parish. Each Parish Church Leadership Team will consist of 8–10 parishioners from that church’s community. These individuals will be active, prayerful, and engaged leaders who represent a diversity of experiences and talents, from worship and spirituality to outreach, faith formation, and even practical areas like buildings and grounds.

Each team will be led by one of our parish priests and will meet monthly to:

1. Discuss the life of their church community—what is going well, where there are challenges, and what opportunities exist to grow in faith and service.
2. Address local needs—whether through worship, ministry, events, or other activities—while staying aligned with the broader pastoral goals of St. Michael Parish.
3. Act as a bridge—helping to connect the unique life of their church to the wider parish by collaborating with other church leadership teams, sharing updates, and promoting parish-wide initiatives.

I believe these teams will serve as a vital link between each church community and our larger parish family. By bringing together leaders who are passionate about their church and committed to prayer and service, we can better honor the distinctive charisms of each church while building a stronger sense of unity and purpose as one parish.

This initiative is grounded in the teaching of St. Paul, who reminds us that we are all members of the Body of Christ, each with our own gifts and roles to play. As he writes in 1 Corinthians 12:27: “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.” Just as every part of the body is essential, so too is every church within St. Michael Parish.

In the coming weeks, I, along with Fr. Britto and Fr. Toniyo, will be working to identify parishioners who are willing to serve on these teams. If you feel called to help lead your church in this way—or if you know someone who might be a good fit—please let us know. We are looking for individuals who are prayerful, collaborative, and ready to discern how their unique gifts can contribute to the life of the parish.

This is an exciting moment for our parish. We have so many wonderful people, so much good already happening, and so much potential to do even more. Ultimately, this initiative is not just about logistics or programs; it is about drawing closer to God and to one another as a community of faith. My prayer is that through these leadership teams are an opportunity for us as a community to work together, grow in faith, and bring the joy of the Gospel to all.