Dear
Parishioners,
I wish you and your families a happy and holy Christmas season. Although the commercial celebration of Christmas started well before Thanksgiving, the Christmas season for the Church extends until January 12, 2025 with the Baptism of the Lord.
Don’t be in a hurry to take down the Christmas decorations too soon—especially during the actual Christmas season!
Despite some difficult moments like the loss of my mom, there have also been so many blessings for which I thank God. Most especially I thank God for the prayers, support, genuine love and concern of so many faithful parishioners. I am edified by the prayerful fidelity of so many! May God bless you for your goodness!
I try to live by a philosophy (and truly believe) that God is ultimately in charge of every situation. I pray constantly that His will be done. I do not claim that I know each and every detail of His plan and what lies ahead. But, in imitation of the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I attempt imperfectly to echo her profound trust and consent to the will of God: “May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
I thank all who work so hard in the parish and continue to strengthen our Christian community. Christianity is never a “spectator sport” in which we simply sit back, watch and cheer. Rather, it involves active participation and a life-commitment: daily prayer, attendance at Mass weekly, a sacramental life including regular confession of sins, Christian service, love (even of enemies), forgiveness, Christian charity, conversion, repentance, etc.
As we adore the Christ Child in the manger at Christmas, may we be moved by the great love and humility that God showed to us in the birth of His Son! God emptied Himself and became one of us. Our faith also professes that He will come again.
O come let us adore Him!
Be assured of my daily prayers and a remembrance in my Masses for all of you. May I ask a small remembrance in your prayers and Masses as well?
On behalf of Fr. Victorino and all our parish staff, have a blessed and peace-filled Christmas and a holy New Year! I do not know what will be in store for us in 2025, but I trust that God knows what is truly best for us all. I leave things in His merciful hands.
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
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