As we usher in the New Year 2011, we hold hands together in unity and prayer that this year may be a year of abundant blessings, a year of true progress, a year of real peace.

All blessings are from God. We must put God first. We must put God in all, for we all know that only God will remain in the end. In all things, may God be glorified! But we realize too that blessings come to us through one another. May all of us be blessings for one another. In Pangasinan, may everybody love everybody—that is the greatest blessing of all.

We pray for progress but progress with ethics. In our pursuit of human and economic progress, we must not compromise our immortal souls. Our years here on earth are limited and finite. What is important is invisible to the eye. The peso and dollar are not immortal. Our souls are. The peso and dollar are not all mighty. Only God is almighty. In Pangasinan, may we always place God in our politics and business and culture—indeed in all!

Finally, may the New Year be a year of peace. Peace is right relationships. When our relationships with God, with creation and with one another are right, we shall have true and lasting peace. Beyond partisan politics, linguistic differences and varied social strata, the call for unity beckons. May Pangasinan be truly one! May we extend our hands to our opponents with forgiveness and tolerance, respect and brotherhood!

Happy New Year! Magayagan balon taon ed sikayon amin!

+Socrates B. Villegas
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan

From the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Dagupan City, December 31, 2010

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