Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Family of St. John the Evangelist

This past Sunday we concluded the Christmas Season with the celebration of the Baptism of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This celebration is a reminder to us of our Baptism and the new life we began in Christ.
We became children of God and brothers and sisters of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and of one another. We are the living stones that make up the Church of Christ.
We are called to be his witnesses by the example of our lives.
We are commanded by the Lord to love one another.

We face many challenges living the Christian life in our society today. Do we follow the call of Jesus, or do we join the worldly in disrupting our lives by anger, violence, and civil unrest.
Violence only begets violence. We live in a diverse society.
We do not have the same values about society and life. We have to be considerate of one another and also tolerant.
We can disagree with others in a civil and respectful way. “Beloved, if God has loved us so, we must love for one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet if we love one another God dwells in us, and His love is brought to perfection in us.” (1 John 4:11-18)
During this Christmas season the Love of God was manifested by the overwhelming generosity of the parishioners of St. John and our neighbors in Mahopac, Carmel and Somers.
The love for others was poured out in so many ways.
The parish, The Food Pantry, The CYO.
The various individuals and Parish Organizations.
The timeless giving of the volunteers in the Food Pantry.
There is more love and good works in our world than evil.
The love of God conquers all things.
“Let us love in deed and in truth and not merely talk about it.
This is our way of knowing we are committed to the truth and are at peace before Him no matter what our consciences may change us with, for God is greater than our hearts and all is known to Him. Beloved, if our consciences have nothing to change us with, we can be sure that God is with us and that we will receive at His hands whatever we ask. Why?
Because we are keeping His commandments and doing what is pleasing in His sight. His commandment is this:
We are to believe in the name of His son, Jesus Christ, and are to love one another as He commanded us. Those who keep His commandments remain in Him and He in them.

And this is how we know that He remains in us: From the spirit that He gave us.” (1 John 3:18-24)

God Bless you and watch over all of you Love and Prayers,
The Priests, Deacon and Parish Staff