2014 Christmas Message

Dear Parishioners,

 Most priests would agree that Christmas is not a preaching moment. Nevertheless, it doesn’t stop priests from trying to comment or explain the miracle of “God made flesh.” The fact is, God’s love was revealed to the world in the most ordinary of ways, the birth of a baby. We have no conclusive evidence of when or where this birth took place. In our need to get it right we sometimes forget that, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him,” John 3:16-17.

 The endless debates about what to call this season only serve to distract us from God’s real purpose, as mentioned in John 3:16-17. God’s love transforms us as drops of water, falling on a cement sidewalk, can over time cause cracks in the cement, and eventually break up the sidewalk itself.

 To celebrate Christmas means to let our love fall upon the world like the gentle dew. It means that we believe that God loves the world and does not want us to condemn it. If people are to experience this love, which is Christmas, they are going to experience it by our love for them.

 As Christ was wrapped in swaddling cloths, so may our celebration of his birth wrap us in his love, and move us to wrap others in his love.

 Winston Churchill said, “we make a living by what we get...we make a life by what we give.” May you be blessed abundantly for what you have given this past year through the sharing of your time, treasure, and talent with so many people.

 You will have a special remembrance in all my prayers and Masses throughout the Christmas season. A Blessed Christmas to you and your family.

                                                   Sincerely Yours,

Rev. Father Gagné
 Pastor