From the desk of Fr. Ken,

            Ever since I can remember the Christmas season has always been my favorite.  There is something about it which makes me feel young again.  Perhaps it is all the memories I have as a child going to Midnight Mass with my family and seeing all of the beautiful decorations, singing the beautiful Christmas carols, and seeing everyone filled with great joy and warmth of spirit.

            There was also the sense of great mystery.  Celebrating Mass in the middle of the night, the Scripture readings talking about these amazing figures, the shepherds, the angels, and of course thinking about the joy that Mary and Joseph experienced at the birth of their son, a special son, who’s coming the world had been eagerly anticipating for generations. 

            Today, after celebrating Mass, I especially enjoy watching the Christmas Eve Mass on TV from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  It’s not celebrated at midnight anymore, but the beauty, the singing, and the majesty are just as amazing and powerful as ever. 

            It is tradition that on Christmas Day, the Holy Father delivers a Christmas message to the world known as Urbi et Orbi (for the city and for the world).  Last year in his Christmas address Pope Francis reminded us that “where God is born, hope is born”. 

            My prayer for you and our parish this Christmas is that in celebrating the great mystery of love and mercy in God becoming man, that we may all experience a rebirth of Christ and hope in our lives, in our families and in our parish.  My prayer is that those who may be suffering any kind of distress or disillusionment in life may experience the tenderness and love of our Lord that heals wounds and brings encouragement and hope.  After all our Blessed Lord knows what it is like to experience great distress, he was born into it.

            Together, let us gaze in amazement and wonder at the baby Jesus who is the beautiful gift of grace and life that is born for you and for me.  It is Jesus who is the answer to calm our fears and who reinvigorates our hope.  “I bring you good news of great joy…for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11).  This is the great message of hope.  We are not alone; God is with us!

            May our Savior bless you, your family and friends during this Christmas season and may His peace, joy and hope be with you throughout the new year.

            Faithfully in Christ,

            Fr. Ken