It’s rather interesting that Holy Mother Church has directed that not only is the first day of the new year a Marian Feast (Mary, Mother of God) but that it is also a Holy Day of Obligation (which means that all Catholics are required to attend Mass on the 1st day of January). We like to look at this not so much as an “obligation” (which carries a negative connotation in our secular world) but rather as an opportunity for starting the secular year right … by attending Mass and thanking God for His many graces, especially that of giving us the Blessed Mother as an advocate, role model and intercessor.

What more COULD we need to start 2013?