Dear Parish Family,
I hope and pray your Christmas is off to a wonderful start. Thank you for joining us in limited capacity in church and on our live stream Christmas Mass. Although this year was very different, the joy of Christmas was still unmistakable. I am also very grateful for your generosity as you know that our numbers a unfortunately very down. This too shall pass!
The promise of Christmas is one of great expectation. We know that this world is far from perfect and that hardships not only fall to the world, and to our country but often in our own homes as well. We are called to invite Christ into the cold and the dark just as He was born into that very same scenario in Bethlehem. Remember how far from perfect was the situation allotted to Him on that first Christmas morning.
Joseph and Mary had no idea what was in store for them. They had no guarantees whatsoever as to what was before them. They completely surrendered themselves to God and trusted in Him without any hesitation. They had the promise of an angel and bravely accepted the will of God. This is what we must do now in this year ahead. Let us trust completely in our Lord’s protection and guidance in this New Year. Whether life seems to be smiling on you or whether the times have become uncertain and challenging, follow the example of the Holy Family and boldly press on into the days ahead, knowing that the joy of Almighty God will always be with you. God our Father will never abandon us, and His Son promised us that He will never leave us orphans!
Merry Christmas and a very Blessed Happy New Year!
Magno Cum Gaudio,
Father Brian Patrick Woodrow