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E-Newsletter for
January 25, 2026
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Message from From Fr. Yerick
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Have you ever tried to walk through an unfamiliar room in total darkness? What was that experience like? You probably walked slowly and clumsily, fumbling and feeling your way around the room with your hands and feet, searching for any clues about what might be in your way. You most likely bumped into things and tripped over objects in the room because you just couldn’t see them. The whole experience was no doubt disorienting and perhaps even fearful. Even blind people often use a white cane and their sense of hearing to extend their perception beyond their immediate person.
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But could you imagine even if those resources were taken away? The truth is that walking in darkness is downright dangerous. Just ask any parent who’s walked to the bathroom at night only to step barefoot on one of their kid’s toys! All that is necessary to avoid these problems is to see the light. Even when the room is as it was before, the light changes everything for you.
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Isaiah announces that, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.” (Is 9: 1). “The people” Isaiah was referring to where not just walking through a dark room, they were dwelling in the “land of gloom”. Their whole life was darkness. Unlike the people of Israel, who were enlightened by God when he revealed himself to them and gave them the knowledge and worship of the Only True God, the pagan nations did not know God. They worshiped false and empty gods, fumbling and reaching out for the light but tripping over the confusion of ignorance, sin, and idolatry. And yet, they were destined to see “The true light, which enlightens everyone, [and] was coming into the world.” (John 1: 9).
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This light is Jesus Christ who we see fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy in today’s Gospel. On coming to the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, Jesus enters as The Light into “Galilee of the Gentiles.” (Mt 4: 15). In the same way, Jesus wants to enter into our darkness and make his light shine upon us so that we no longer walk in the shadows but rather in the light. But what does it mean to walk in the light? Now that the light has been turned on we see the mess that we made in the darkness. Things are out of place. There is dust and grime everywhere. We see all the injuries we have sustained while stumbling around in the dark. The light itself is beautiful but the mess it reveals is scary. It’s tempting to want to turn the light back off but somehow we can’t because we’ve seen the light.
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So what now? Jesus says “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt 4: 17). First comes the call to conversion and repentance. Then comes the personal call to follow Jesus, to follow The Light wherever he leads. Simon-Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen but they received a new vocation when Jesus called them. “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mt. 4: 19). Their response shows that they saw the light. They immediately left it all to follow Jesus. Their lives would never be the same. They would never be the same.
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What about you? Is the light calling you out of the darkness? Does your heart say, “Follow him.”? Don’t ignore it. Even if you must leave many things behind, follow him. As you walk in the light of Jesus Christ you will hear the message of the Good News. He will cure your every disease and illness, forgive your sins, and enlighten your ignorance. He will give you eternal life. You will never be the same.
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Remember that all this is not magic. The light illuminates the disorder, but we must obediently submit to the new order of the Christ’s light. The light provides the necessary condition required in order to fix the disorder. We can no longer walk in darkness! Just like the first disciples we cannot imagine the road we must travel. Sometimes it’s hard to accept that the way of the Cross is the one that leads to victory. Yet this is the way of true love that invites us to walk on in faith and hope towards salvation.
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Jesus, my light, I trust in you. Amen.
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News & Events
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Please watch here for news and events, and join our events for good Catholic community!
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Just a little reminder…..
Fr. John is in Uganda and will return February 14th.
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The rectory office will be closed on days that school is cancelled due to inclement weather.
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Religious Education Updates
Sunday Classes and Confirmation Classes are back up and running according to the 2026 schedule. If you are in need of a schedule, please see Sister Caritina, or call her at 413-777-5115, or email her at misionera557@gmail.com.
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Special Note: For possible religious education class cancellations this winter due to snowy weather, please tune into WWLP Channel 22. We will post cancellations there if we have cancelled, and it must say Holy Name to be our cancellation. If another church is cancelling, it doesn’t mean we are.
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CURSILLO...What is it?
Cursillo (kur-see-yo) means “short course in Christianity.” The intention of the Cursillo Movement is to give each person a renewed spirituality and a clearer understanding of how Christ can work through them. To learn more about this vital and active lay movement in the Diocese of Springfield, visit our website: www.cursillowmass.net.
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3-DAY WOMEN’S CURSILLO WEEKEND 2026; Friday evening January 16 - Monday evening January 19
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Food Pantry Collection
We are once again requesting food items for the OPEN PANTRY. As always, we appreciate your giving spirit. The items hoped for are: Canned meats and canned vegetables, oatmeal or hot cereal, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese and spaghetti sauce. Please, no perishables!! Thank you very much!
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Eucharistic Adoration
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The Chaplet is prayed at 3p.m., the Rosary is prayed at 3:30 p.m. followed by Benediction.
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Junior Legion of Mary
The Junior Legion of Mary is coming to Holy Name in October! The only requirements are being under 18 and wanting to grow with God.
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Blue Army
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On the first Saturday of every month, the Blue Army group follows the 8:15a.m. Mass with a rosary, meditation on the mysteries and confession until approximately 10:00a.m. Everyone is invited to stay after Mass to take part.
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