Dear Friends in Christ,
This has been my second Christmas with our amazing parishes and as this first year goes by, I take stock and realize how grateful I am to be assigned here to you, and how blessed I am to minister to such good Catholic people. If not for your choice to be a committed disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ, expressed in so many works of charity, our community would be a much colder, darker place.
I’m unable to write to each of you personally, but I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank you for your kindness and support in this holy season and throughout the year. I’ve been the recipient of so many personal good wishes and prayers, so many cards of encouragement and countless thoughtful gifts (which, truth be told, I haven't had a chance to even open yet - will get to them this week). With our beautiful Catholic faith under siege culturally, politically, socially and morally in so many ways, it is edifying that despite the challenges, including the last two years of this pandemic, so many of you have remained loyal and steadfast. “Lord, to whom shall we go?”, St. Peter once told the Lord when others had abandoned him, “You have the words of eternal life.” By your words and deeds, you have done the same, and God will reward you.
We have plenty of work to do in 2022 to maintain our parishes, and most importantly, attract new faithful, and evangelize our peers for the love of God. I know you will continue in your generous service to our parish toward this end. Do not be afraid! Talk to your peers about your faith. Invite them to Holy Mass. Nudge them toward the confessional. There’s no one else to do this but you! May the Christ child reveal his Holy Face to you and smile upon you in this New Year. You are all in my heart at the holy altar!
A Very Happy Christmas and a Blessed Christmastide to all of you and all of your families!
Fr. Justin