Today we begin the new year and everyone makes a big deal about it. There are parades across the country and sporting events as well. However we should not forget that January 1 is the Feast of Mary, Mother of God and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Fr. Z points out that we can gain Plenary indulgences today as well. In the readings we get the Blessing of Aaron “May the Lord bless and keep you!”, which reminds me of the Sabbath Prayer from Fiddler on the Roof, Jesus cried out “Abba Father” and so should we, and the shepherd bit of the Infancy narrative in Luke.
I think everyone likes the Rose Parade for the sheer imagination of the float design since they are all covered with natural elements and they get so many different colors and they have some very unique uses for flowers and all of the other materials used. This year is the 125th running of the Rose Parade and the 100th Rose Bowl. Of the other parades my mom simply adores the Mummers Parade in Philly especially the string bands and fancy brigades. This parade is unique and is considered the oldest folk Festival in America having been run since 1901. Unlike the Rose Parade, the Mummers are not nationally televised, however I believe you can watch it on an online stream or something. It would be nice if it got the national coverage that the Rose Parade gets.
One of the newer additions to the festivities of today is the NHL Winter Classic. The NHL game held outdoors on New Years Day is great and is one reason that the fan base of the NHL is growing. The Winter Classic is typically held in a baseball or football stadium and have tended to feature teams from the United States, where as the Canadian teams play in the Heritage Classic. These games have been a popular addition to the NHL year. In fact later this month they are going to have more outdoor games as part of the Stadium series is this too much of a good thing or just NBC trying to capitalize on the Olympics? This year Winter Classic is at Michigan Stadium and it seems very likely that attendance records will be smashed.
Finally there is the whole deal with resolutions that we all forget about after a couple of months. Anyway you look at it I hope you all have a safe and happy 2014
Related articles
- Weird Vintage Photos Of Past Rose Parades (laist.com)
- 2014 Mummers Parade Photos (phl17.com)
- REMINDER: Holy Day of Obligation on New Year’s Day (sanctatrinitasunusdeus.com)
- Wine to gladden their hearts… a reminder on New Year’s Eve (coreybruns.com)
Deep in the well 
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