Fr. Tom’s Letters

We are now in the Octave of Christmas. These eight days extend from Christmas to January 1 when the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, a holyday of obligation. The Christmas Season then extends through the Epiphany on January 4, and concludes with the celebration of the Feast of the Baptism on Sunday, January 11. Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, the life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

The first reading addresses the important relationship of parents and their children. The middle reading proclaims the many virtues we need to bring to our many relationships: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, peace, gratitude, and an awareness of God’s presence throughout our day, It is quite a test.

The gospel for the day highlights the role of Joseph in the life of the holy family. What is so magnificent in Joseph’s life is the trust and belief he has in his experience of listening to the angel of the Lord who comes to Joseph in his dreams. Joseph encourages all those fathers of our day to be strong models of faith for their children.

Although this letter appears in the bulletin for Sunday, December 28, I am writing this letter on Thursday, December 18, a full week before Christmas Day. Bulletin printing deadlines have to be met. So as I write to you, I am still anticipating Christmas Day, though you are reading this the weekend after Christmas.

With you I anticipate a very Blessed Christmas for our parish. How grateful I am for your participation, your generosity, and all forms of volunteer service that so many of you bring to the parish. We had so many pre-Christmas Advent activities that involved hundreds of parishioners. Our communal generosity extended to more than 700 families as we offered assistance to families, seniors, and children to make Christmas a little more festive and happy. I am confident that our Christmas Masses will be prayerful, joyful with our beautiful Christmas music, and welcoming with how our volunteers and staff create a Christmas atmosphere with trees, lights, wreaths, and the manger scene. Thank you to everyone involved.

May we all know God’s loving presence as we continue our Christmas celebration through these beautiful days of the Christmas Season!

Peace to all,