Archbishop Richard Smith’s 2026 New Year’s message
January 1, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we come to the close of the Jubilee Year of Hope, the Lord now calls us to carry the graces granted to us into the year ahead. Hope, once received, must be lived. Let us, then, become diligent stewards of this hope in our daily lives, drawing from the paschal mystery celebrated in the Eucharist to sustain our efforts in evangelization and service. With this in mind, I look forward to 2026 as a year in which we put the blessing of this Jubilee into action: strengthening initiatives that inspire renewal in our parishes, deepening our life of prayer and discipleship, fostering healing, and accompanying those who seek a way back to Jesus and his Church.
My prayer is that we step into this new year with confidence in Christ, a renewed openness to the Holy Spirit, and a willingness to witness to the hope we ourselves have received. In this way, the fire of hope kindled during the Jubilee will not only warm our own hearts but spread outward, transforming lives and renewing the face of the earth through our shared mission.
May Our Lady of Hope intercede for us and continue to guide our parishes, schools and ministries in this new year.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
✠ Richard W. Smith
Archbishop of Vancouver
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