As pastor of Holy Spirit, I’d like to wish all of you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas. I’d like to welcome all of those who are visiting with us and those who are coming back and joining us for the very first time. We are very happy that you have chosen Holy Spirit as the place to celebrate the Solemnity of Christmas.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the many volunteers who shared their time and talent. To the children and their parents who participated in our Christmas pageant, the music ministry, liturgy committee, art and environment, ministers of communion, lectors, ushers, altar servers, hospitality ministers, the staff and all of you who have made our Christmas liturgies prayerful and successful.

On this Christmas day, we are reminded again of our God whose name is Emmanuel – God with us. Since the beginning of Advent, we have been hearing the phrase “Do not be afraid” addressed to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds. Those are comforting words that reverberate in the present time as we continue to live through this pandemic and other global challenges. It is God’s eternal invitation for us to have courage because God has made a promise that He is with us always.

Perhaps the best metaphor for Christmas is that Christ is at home with us in our hearts. In many ways that we may not seem to be always aware – He is supporting us, caring for us, comforting us, and always loving us no matter the path our journey in life leads us. God knows no boundary when He makes our hearts His home. For this reason, it should be easier for us to give a gift of “home” to others during this season and beyond. A simple act of kindness, a smile, a note of encouragement, comforting words, listening ears, and understanding hearts, are just some of the many ways that we can share God’s gift of home to others

As we adore the Holy Child in the manger this season, may we be moved by the great love and humility that God showed to us in the birth of His Son. Be assured of my daily prayers and a remembrance in my Masses for all of you. Please remember me in your prayers as well.

On behalf of Fr. Edgar, Mr. Greg Vohs, and the rest of the parish and school staff, I wish all of you a peace-filled Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year! I do not know what God has in store for us in 2022, but I trust that our loving God knows what is truly best for us.