All is quiet on NewYear’s Day.
A world in white gets underway.
I want to be with you, be with you night and day.
Nothing changes on New Year’s Day.
On New Year’s Day, I will be with you again.

–  New Years Day U2, 1982

Happy New Year!

On this Octave Day of Christmas, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.

It is also the World Day of Prayer for Peace. We know all too well that the problems of the world do not end at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. Neither do our hopes, our fervent prayers, and the works we must do to bring justice to fruition in our world. The Queen of Peace watches over us and looks out for us, always desiring good for our human family. Let us call upon her powerful intercession. Let us pray with her for hearts to warm, for minds to change, forthe healing of our earth, and for the life of the world in which we live.