Dear Fellow Parishioners, Where do I begin? Last Saturday a catastrophic accident occurred involving the Kellogg family of our parish. Matthew and his two sons, Ben aged 9 and Sam age 6 were coming home from skiing when they were involved in a horrific car accident. Ben was killed and Matt and Sam are in critical condition. Matt’s wife Michaela and their one-year-old son William were at home. This event changed their lives, our parish family, the school community, and the at-large community of Hopedale. How sacred, precious, and fragile life is. We never know when we will see someone we love each time we leave each other’s company. I am reminded to always listen “with my eyes” and not with my phone or other distractions when someone is talking to me. This Sunday we hear from the Gospel of John 12:21 “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” Some may be asking, “Where is Jesus in this tragedy?” We do not have to look far; he is right in front of us. We just have to open our eyes. It is up to all of us on this faith journey with the Kellogg family to assist them in picking up the pieces and moving forward in faith and support. Our common union and a community mean we all share the pain and loss to some degree. Two things are tugging at my heart. We read the story The Hurt when our children are preparing for First Reconciliation. The hurt grows bigger when we keep the hurt inside. We need to talk with each other and listen to each other’s stories with the “ears of our heart!” And ‘Listen with our eyes!” Second, I keep recalling the many times all five members of the Kellogg family were greeting everyone as they entered the front door on Sunday morning, then passing the offertory basket during Mass with William strapped to Michaela. To me, this image represents the goodness in the hearts of the Kellogg family, and the family we are all a part of. Where do I begin? Where do we begin? One step at a time, always with a future unknown, remembering “Emmanuel” God-is-with-Us!” Fr. Bill