Fr. Charlie joins me in wishing you blessings and happiness this Christmas and throughout 2008. Nollaig shonasach agus athbhliain shuaimhneach. Last October I was in Holy Land with our Parish Pilgrimage, it was a wonderful and moving experience. We spent a day in Bethlehem and were able to enter the Basilica of the Nativity and go down to kneel and pray in the grotto where Christ was born. There, on the floor of that cave is a star on which is written an inscription, "Here of the Virgin Mary was born Jesus Christ." As we celebrated Mass I experienced, something of the joy of the Good News that God was with us in Jesus here in our world. Later that evening we spent time in the Shepherd's Field outside Bethlehem were the Shepherds heard the joyful news of Christ's birth.
I love Christmas for various reasons. It is the most human of feasts how much more human can it be than to see a new born baby in its mothers arms. Stop for a moment and reflect on it. God become man; divine become human. And as a result we mere humans can share in the divine. What a wonderful, joyful mystery it is.
I always love Christmas. Sharing Masses and Celebrations with all of you in our Parish, spending time with family and friends during the festive season is for me the happiest time of the year.
I will always remember Christmas time in our Diocesan Mission in Peru it was as near to what it was like in Bethlehem on that first Christmas night – poverty, happiness, simplicity and love. The root of all that happiness, sharing and enjoyment is that new-born baby in his mothers arms. Come let us adore him.
When the Word became human,
Earth was joined to heaven.
We wish you all a very Happy Christmas.
Fr. Kerry
Irish Blessings
During the Christmas Season
May you be blessed
With the spirit of the season, which is peace,
The gladness of the season,
Which is hope,
And the heart of the season, which is love.
Christmas Masses
Christmas Eve: 6pm & 10pm
Christmas Day: 9am, 10.30am & 12 noon
St. Stephen's Day and remainder of the week Mass at 10am