2025 Christmas Message

My Beloved Family in Christ,

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.”(Isaiah 9:6)

As we celebrate the birth of Christ and the significance of God becoming incarnate through Jesus to bring us salvation - God’s gift to us, what is our gift to the Christ child?

Do we have any gifts for our “Birthday Boy”? Let us check to see if Jesus is on our list this Christmas and if we have a special gift in mind for him. A heart filled with love for God and each other is the birthday gift which Jesus really wants from us. Hence, let us prepare our heart for Jesus, filling it with love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness on this Christmas and every day of our lives.

Let us be a Christmas gift to others: The greatest gift we can give to those we love is to have faith in them, believe in their good dreams, and try to help them realize them. We need to believe in the good dreams of our husbands, wives, children, parents, heroes, leaders, and friends, then try our best to help them realize those dreams.

 With a deep sense of joy and gratitude, I extend to you, beloved parishioners, the choicest blessing and best wishes for a holy and grace-filled Christmas. During this Advent Season, it has been my prayer that each of us as parishioners would find opportunities to reflect on our own faith and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. 

Whatever it is that our hearts and souls desire, whether we realize it or not, our ultimate desire is Jesus Himself, the greatest good; for this reason, we are filled with joy and consolation at Christmas to know that all that we hoped for has been fulfilled in the person of the Christ Child.

In the midst of all our current challenges and concerns, the love of God the Father is made manifest to us in the wonderful gift of His Son, Jesus. With the angels in Bethlehem, our faith moves us to sing: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth!” We recognize that true peace on earth flows from our recognition and praise of God's presence and working in and through our lives.

Christmas has a way of bringing to the Church individuals and families who, for various reasons, have not been to Mass or the Sacraments for months or even years. What a wonderful and grace-filled opportunity to put aside past differences and old habits and begin anew that prayerful relationship with the Lord and His Church. Together, may we grow in strength and grace to know and celebrate together God’s presence in our lives and His dominion over all things of this world.

May our Lord Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, bless you, your families, and loved ones at this blessed time of hope and grace. May Mary, the Mother of the Child Jesus and our Mother, watch over you and our beloved Parish always.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Calendar Year, and May Christ abide in your hearts always!

Fr. Noel Clarke, 
Parish Priest