Dear Parishioners,

I pray that this Christmas season is filled with peace and joy for you and your family. It is important to remember Christmas is not a day—but a season of joy. It is a time we as Christians focus on the gift of a God who became flesh and dwelt among us. He reveals Himself in simplicity and humility. This is how God acts and exposes His Divine Love. It is true, beautiful and good….human hearts are drawn to this mystery in the infant Jesus and the Holy Family.

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Holy Family. We look to Joseph, Mary and Jesus for strength and grace. I often hear people say, “Well Father, we aren’t a perfect family.” That is true...no family is perfect, but with God’s grace we can be HOLY. This is the mystery of God’s love revealed in the Nativity, that even in imperfect situations, if we are open to His Divine Will, we can be holy. With Jesus and His grace we can be holy. Let us renew our commitment to draw closer to Jesus and His Church as we strive for holiness as individuals, families and a community.

Be sure to leave some Christmas decorations up through next weekend, The Solemnity of Epiphany on January 7th. They are a reminder of the season, of God’s love. Even if we are tired of them being out it is a reminder we should never tire of God’s ordinary regular love.

This year we will be blessing Holy Water and chalk at all Masses on Epiphany for you to take home to bless your home and mark your entrance to remind you to live your faith at home. Each family is a domestic Church so everything we can do to remind ourselves of His love and protection is good. There will be more details and direction next week.

I am grateful for all the people who came home to Church for Christmas this year. It was a busy place but so was Bethlehem. It reveals to me that the strings of the heart are pulled by God and His Church at these special times in the year. Thank you for your hospitality and regular commitment each week to your spiritual home. This is YOUR parish—your place to draw from the well of holiness and be fed by God’s love. It is a place of blessing.

Finally, this year the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God is NOT a holy day of obligation—but is an opportunity to come together to ask God’s blessings and Our Blessed Mother’s intercessions as we enter the Year of the Lord 2024. We will have a Vigil Mass at 4:00pm tonight, December 31st to start our New Year’s Eve festivities and a 9:00am morning Mass on January 1st. It is a wonderful way to begin the year and keep focused on God’s blessings in our lives. Fr. Ryan and I are looking forward to offering the Mass for blessings on all of you and your families.

May the light, peace and joy of this Christmas season fill each soul that desires to draw close to Him in these special days.

Christmas peace,

Fr. Fred

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