December 20, 2024

On behalf of Our Beloved bishop Larry, the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, and the whole parish community, I would like to greet you a very grace-filled Christmas and a prosperous New Year ahead!

This is a great opportunity for us to make time and thank the Lord for the many gifts we receive in our lives, as individuals and as a community. It is a personal event with our Lord for each has a different special experience with him. It is also a community event because God, Who comes to us wants us to share our joy to the whole family of the world. 

Let us allow the Newborn King to lift us up this New Year; above our world filled with division, hatred, envy, war and violence against his people. Let us not be overcome by our weaknesses, frustration, uncertainty, pain and afflictions but overcome them with new energy, strategy and power from our God. We want to make the following resolutions:

1.       to reach out to those who have not been back to Church since Covid 19. That the Savior born to us is expecting to see us in His Church, joining the community in welcoming and worshiping Him again.

2.      to the sick, the elderly and home bond, that we are willing to drive you to Church or bring Jesus to you. So, please do not feel ashamed or hesitate to call our office.

3.      to anyone who has no one to celebrate Christmas and New Year with; all are welcome to join us.

All of us should be

-           like an angel to announce this great news of our salvation-

-           like shepherds to set aside hatred, envy, jealousy and pride; fall on our knees and worship Him.

-          like the wise men, after being guided by the right star light, offer our time, talent and treasure to the King of kings in our life.

-          like John the Baptist, to work hard for our own conversion and the conversion of other sinners, including our friends and family members.

-           like Mary and Joseph to welcome Jesus as your greatest gift from Him, accept Him as our only Lord and Savior and in turn offer Jesus to everyone, as our greatest gift to them.

Keep in mind that there are millions of brothers and sisters, being hindered by many things; (war, discrimination and religious persecution) to celebrate this great event. There are more than 500 beautiful and historic churches being destroyed by war. The birthplace and homeland of Jesus is not ready for celebration at this time of our life. Almost half of the Christian population in Myanmar are celebrating this Christmas in shanties at displaced areas because their houses and churches are in ruins, while Christians in Syria are not allowed to celebrate their Christmas because of who they are.

Therefore, let us celebrate it as a gratitude to the Lord in this beautiful land of the free bought and safeguarded by the blood of the brave. Let us make it the best Christmas because for some of us it might be the last one so that one day we will be welcomed by the Lord, the Emmanuel, in the unending happiness of Christmas in heaven.

Sincerely,

Fr. Anton