Happy, happy God-blessed new year 2025!

On this fourth day, First Saturday of 2025, allow us to greet you a very happy, happy God-blessed new year!

We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you all for joining us in another journey through this whole new year.

We join you all in prayers for claiming God’s words in Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

While difficult, shall we “embrace this year as one of true surrender – where we yield our plans to God’s purpose, our fears to God’s faithfulness, and our hearts to God’s love?”

For we are never, ever alone at any time through this year, as in the past years.

God’s promise – “I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.” (Matthew 28:20) “Remember, the same God who made a way before will do it again.”

Our assurance: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Roman 8:28)

So, let us trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

Let us ask the Lord to show us His ways and teach us His paths (Psalm 25:4).

Let us “delight in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our hearts.” (Psalm 37:4)

And together, remind ourselves this – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

And this – “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (Peter 5:7).

This year, shall we also pray together and include Pope Francis’ 2025 monthly intentions as follows: https://www.popesprayer.va/popes-prayer-intentions-for-2025/

For January: Respecting the right to education.

“Let us pray to ensure that the many exiles, displaced persons and refugees, who are forced to flee due to international conflicts, wars, violence, and discrimination, are guaranteed safety, access to work, and education, necessary tools for their integration into the new social context."

Monthly prayer: “Good Father, You want all of us to contribute to building a better world, creating bridges instead of walls. Today, we especially pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by wars, whose rights to education are often threatened, that they may be respected and protected. Following the example of the Heart of Your Son, Jesus, help us to cultivate welcoming societies, promoting and integrating those who have had to leave their support networks out of necessity. Give us Your Spirit of boldness, so that our words and actions responsibly strengthen the safety of those we are called to embrace because of their inherent dignity. Amen.”

For February - For vocations to priestly and religious life, for March: For families in crisis.

For April: For the use of the new technologies (that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times), for May: For working conditions: “that through work, each person might find fulfillment, families might be sustained in dignity, and society might be humanized.”

For June: That the world might grow in compassion, for July: For formation in discernment.

For August and September: For mutual coexistence and for our relationship with all of creation; for October and November; for collaboration between different religious traditions and the prevention of suicide.

For December: For Christians in areas of conflict- “that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace/reconciliation/hope.”