Dear Parishioners of Mary Immaculate and St. Rose,
        The Christmas season of 2018 was a very blessed time for me.  I was overwhelmed by the show of appreciation and gratitude that came in the form of cards, gifts, and prayers.  Thank you so much, parishioners of St. Rose and Mary Immaculate.  I feel very blessed to be your pastor!
As you may have heard, our candle box was broken into again and the money was stolen. This is the third time in the last six months.  We have been very fortunate that we have been able to keep our church unlocked.  In this day and age it is amazing to find a church building that is always open.  This does bring with it some difficulties as well as blessings.  We have little things missing quite often.  For some reasons, our collection baskets are a highly desired item.  We have taken to keeping them under lock and key.  Other items have been taken from the church as well: the missal, the holy water container, a cruet of holy oil.  Sometimes there are people sleeping in the church.
       
       While most of these things are just inconveniences, we must also protect the church, the Blessed Sacrament, and the people who come in to pray.  So we will be discussing with the staff and parish pastoral council how we can keep the church both accessible and protected.  I will be sharing the results of those discussions with you in the near future.

     Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord.  It is a good time to thank God for the gift of our own baptism.  In this sacrament, we began our life in Christ and became a Child of God.  What an honor which we often take for granted.

      This year, which is still very new, may God help you to realize a little more His great love for you! May you be blessed with a deeper Faith.  You have much for which to be thankful!

Msgr. Cox