Christmas Greetings

Dear Friends,
On this Christmas I wish each and everyone of you a blessed and hopeful Christmas.  This Christmas is like no other that we have encountered.  Lost friends, lost freedoms, isolation and sickness has dominated this tragic year.  Yet, in spite of this, Christmas reminds us of the promise that God fulfilled, not only long ago but continues to fulfill now.  This is the promise of love and salvation.

This Christmas I feel we have a lot to give thanks for and to reflect upon.  I give thanks for the gift of love and generosity that I have seen everywhere I go.  The gift of self-sacrifice of so many has been inspiring.  The gift of our doctors and nurses who are so lovingly caring for us is a true gift of sacrifice that we should never forget.  I give thanks for the support of you the members of this community.  We have walked a painful journey together but in spite of this you have shown me what the strength of Christian faith is all about.  To say that I am humbled by your witness is putting it mildly.

This Christmas we have a lot to ponder about just as the Holy Family had a lot to ponder about at the time of Jesus’ birth.  At the time of Jesus’ birth, a great upheaval took place when the Roman census took place.  This census required that whole populations move and be displaced.  This action caused death and deep fear for survival.  In those days travel was always a dangerous proposition.  Yet the Holy Family persevered and moved forward with the help of kind strangers.

This Christmas the symbols of the season, the rising star, the witnesses of the poor shepherds, remind us in their own way of the promise that God is keeping his promise of salvation.  God is bringing us out of the darkness an into the light.  I believe fervently that we are now beginning to see a light of hope in the darkness we are experiencing.

As we enter this sacred season let us pray for our country and for each other.  Let us continue to be disciplined and hopeful as we witness the promises of God fulfilled in our midst.  May the blessings of almighty God be with each and every one of you.

Yours in the Savior,
Fr. Tom