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December 22, 2022Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! This is a major feast for us in the church as we celebrate that moment when God and humanity come together to change the course of the world and history. We have been journeying through Advent practicing patient waiting and preparation. Today all the efforts of the church, the waiting and reflection, the work of decorators, musicians, and liturgical ministers, all who have prepared for these celebrations come to fruition. It is a season to remember that God wants to be with us and humbly says I will come to you and does so in the nativity. We are called to be people who remember this moment in prayer and in other celebrations and share the memory with others.
My favorite memories of Christmas revolve around the church celebrations and Christmas day with my family. At home, we would be required to stay in bed until we were sure that Santa had arrived and the reindeer were off the roof. We then sent a scout (usually the youngest) downstairs to see if Santa had really come. If we got up too early and our parents heard us before they were ready, then extra time in silent meditation in our beds was proscribed. On Christmas day, we invited all our relatives and friends to our house after the noon meal. It was a lot of fun and good memories were made. We continue to remember those times and the love that we celebrated—love from God and among our family and friends.
At church, as many children as could fit in the sanctuary were all given some part of the procession at the family mass. We had choirs of Angels out of necessity and Jesus received an entire barn full of cows, sheep, and donkeys. We also had a collection of shepherds dressed in our father’s bathrobes and carrying decorated hockey sticks for the shepherd’s staffs. (This caused some social problems in the ranks as we tried to keep the animals in line with fervor). We also had boys (and girls) who would drum quietly as they walked in. This was not scripturally accurate, but it did add to the excitement.
As we grew older, we were allowed to go to midnight mass as a group of teenagers. We sat in the second row as the first was taken up by older women, i.e., college freshman. I remember being taken into the arms of a young woman and given a holy kiss at the sign of peace. We all experienced this one year and the next year went back for a hoped-for repeat performance, but alas, they had moved to another row, I guess. Christmas is a time to remember that God loves usunconditionally and forever. We make memories in time to remember that the principal way he shows us this is through the love that we experience in our lives directly from him in the sacraments and then in our lives in the day-to-day experiences and over a long period of time.
On behalf of the entire staff, we wish you a holy and wonderful Christmas day and season.
Peace,
Father Murray
Thanks to the retreat team. On December the 10th we had our first bi-lingual retreat for the parish. Twenty-five people were at the retreat along with our team. We heard talks from The Sisters of the Word, Francisco Lopez, and are own Charlie Joyce. We had music from Jennifer and members of the Spanish Choir. It was a wonderful moment to pause and reflect on what it means to wait on the Lord during our projects and evangelization. We are people who do our part and then can see how God is working through us.
Building news: Merry Christmas!
We continue to look toward the Spring now for more projects. Recently, a parishioner came forward and offered to help with the doors and chairs in the chapel. The doors need attention so that we do not have so much heat loss and the closers can close more gently and firmly. Many of the chapel chairs are a little rickety because of lots of people using them ( high-quality problem). I am glad that people are offering their time and talents for the good of the church. FYI, I am told that the school building at St. James is now on the list for the completion of the project. CDC of the North Shore will be offering before and after tours. Stay tuned.
