New Year New Start

I can't wait for Advent Sunday because I never think of January first as the beginning of a New Year. The beginning of the New Year is Advent Sunday. That's when I make my resolutions. That's when I make a fresh start. That's when I surge into the mystical cycle of birth and life and death that culminates in the Paschal Mysteries.



I've been a Catholic for sixteen years and an Anglican for fifteen years before that, and I'm still feeling like I am only beginning to get the deep beauty of the liturgical year into my bloodstream. Observing Advent as the year's beginning is a good way to do it. If you want to celebrate New Year's Day then keep the solemnity of the Mother of God on that day.



Here are a few things that will be happening on this blog as a result of the new year: first, there is going to be a freshen up. I'm going through to freshen up my blogroll, links and sidebar items. Next, my weekly homilies will be available as podcasts to listen to directly or download from the blog. There will also be more interaction between the blog, Facebook, Twitter and the websites I write for. Also, in the new year I will be starting my own radio show here in South Carolina, and we will have links with local Catholic radio, and figure out how to make the radio show available through the blog. Finally, I will be consolidating my priestly ministry more, so that the various things  I do will be available on one main website.



You can see why I am excited by the new year. Just as a mention, we are coming to the end of the annual Stick 'em Up Campaign. A good number of people have made donations to Standing on My Head. If you like the ideas I've put forward, and you would like to help this ministry move forward, please make your donations now.



I won't be asking again for another year!