Dear Parishioners:
Merry Christmas! Pope Francis said of Christmas: "God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If he gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because we all have the ability to understand and receive it." We give thanks for the birth of our Savior on Christmas. The greatest gift the world has ever received.
We have much to be thankful for this Christmas. We thank the many people who make Christmas so special at OLM. We especially thank Paul Anderson and our outstanding maintenance staff, who work hard cleaning and decorating, setting up trees and creches, and ensuring everything is ready for the Savior's birth. We thank our good Franciscan Apostolic Sisters led by Sister Lourdes and all our Sacristans for ensuring that the vestments and sacred vessels are clean, polished, starched, and pressed for Mass. The Church was beautifully decorated, and we thank our dedicated band of volunteers on the decorating committee for making it happen with their hard work.
We certainly thank our Music Director, Henri St. Louis, our soloist, Christiana Caprarelli, our Children's Choir Directress Shirley Medici, and both the Adult and Children's Choirs for the gift of beautiful music in honor of the Christ Child. They lifted up our worship of the Savior at all the Masses of Christmas.
We also thank our many Altar Servers for their fine and reverent service during the Masses of Christmas. We especially thank our Masters of Ceremonies, Erik Carlson and Luke Simms, and our Seminarian, David Delbonis, for their tremendous help. Our Lectors proclaimed God's Sacred Word with faith and joy and we are grateful. Our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion provided reverent assistance at the Masses. And our Ushers did a terrific job welcoming people and ensuring everyone found a seat! We thank these good and dedicated parishioners for their exemplary service to our parish.
However, while we give thanks for the gift of Christmas, let's not forget that it isn't over yet! The birth of our Savior cannot be celebrated in a single day! For Catholics, Christmas is not just over and done on December 25. Christmastide begins on Christmas Eve and ends on Sunday, January 12, on the Baptism of the Lord. The Christmas season has seven special days other than December 25, designed to extend our focus on the mystery of Christ's birth. These days are called the "Octave of Christmas." You can remember their timing because the Octave starts and ends with solemnities - the Nativity of the Lord on December 25 and Mary, Mother of God, on January 1.
This Wednesday, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, a Holy Day of Obligation. There are three Masses at OLM for the Holy Day. A Vigil Mass is at 4:00 pm on New Year's Eve; on New Year's Day, Masses are at 7:30 am and 10:30 am. I can think of no better way to start the New Year than by attending Mass in honor of Blessed Mother. So be sure to attend Mass for the New Year’s Holy Day.
Ringing in the New Year rekindles our hopes and dreams. It's time to celebrate a fresh start, turning the page to begin a new chapter. We look forward to new opportunities and adventures. It is a time of taking up resolutions to improve our lives and health. It is also a good time to be more resolute in our spiritual life. Perhaps we should recommit to faithfully attending Sunday Mass every week, going to Confession more frequently, making prayer a daily habit, praying the Rosary, and striving to be firm in faith, joyful in hope, and active in charity.
The Saints have much to say about the simple idea of beginning anew. They know that January is not the only time to start over. Rather, God's mercies are new every morning. So, every day of the year, we can begin again. St. Francis de Sales said: "It is right that you should begin again every day. There is no better way to complete the spiritual life than to be ever beginning it over again."
With deep gratitude, I sincerely thank the parishioners who were so very kind in remembering me at Christmas. Your many cards, delicious treats, and generous gifts are deeply appreciated. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May God Bless you and our parish in 2025! Be well. Do good.