My Dearly Beloved in Christ,
“In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways…
In these last days, He has spoken to us through the Son.” — Hebrews 1:1-2
With deep joy and gratitude, I extend to you my prayerful best wishes for a holy, blessed, merry Christmas 2020 and Happy New Year 2021.
I know that with COVID threatening our daily living activities, everything is different this year, everything is challenging including our ability to worship as we would like to. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day masses have always been the summit of our liturgical life here at St Michael. This year, because of the pandemic, our social gatherings (such as Christmas/New Year luncheon) that made these celebrations more meaningful have been canceled. Our own safety and that of others is very important. I continue to pray and praise God who has kept our entire congregation out of danger.
During this Advent Season, it has been my prayer that each of you would find opportunities to reflect on your own faith and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church during this difficult time. Whatever it is that our hearts and souls desire, whether we realize it or not, our ultimate desire is Jesus Himself, 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.
As we gather to celebrate Christmas, another year has passed with many events, public and private, touching our lives in different ways. No doubt this year has brought joys but the sadness, fear, uncertainty and anxiety caused by COVID, the ultimate disruptor, cannot be understated. We are going through a lot!
Traditionally, we see Christmas as a time of peace and joy, a time to celebrate with family, with friends and loved ones. I do hope that your Christmas this year will have something of that peace, joy and celebration in spite of all the inconveniences brought by the pandemic. Such joyful celebrations may not be possible for some. You may have lost a loved one, a job, a relationship or even experienced health decline since last Christmas, or you may be overburdened by money worries, family problems or for many other reasons. If you are, I want to assure you of my prayers and offer you my spiritual support.
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 in our lives.
At St. Michael’s we have seen some changes occur as we began Lent of the year 2020. We moved out of St Joseph, move into the current location while actively continuing to raise funds for our own place. We are still searching for a church building that will enable us to proclaim our message . I want to thank all those who have and continue to make contributions toward the building funds. We are getting closer to our goals. I want also to thank all of you who continue to send your monthly contributions or tithes to the treasurer to support our operations. COVID have certainly restricted our ability to gather face to face but IT HAS NOT reduced nor eliminated our church bills, quite the contrary. As our treasurer has said it recently we need your financial support to keep this church alive and moving.
We have baptized little Miles Thompson and welcomed him, his parents into God’s family at St Michael. Last month on Thanksgiving week-end, we celebrated our rector emeritus, Canon Woolley’s 63rd anniversary of ordination into priesthood. On July 28th, we celebrated my 25th anniversary of ordination.
We have also introduced the Canon Woolley Pastoral Care Center to help us reach out to those who have not discovered our warm, caring parish. But stay tuned – we have more exciting things coming your way as we strive to be a growing parish serving our community and promoting God’s mission for us.
Our online community is growing.
Many people have been involved in bringing about these initiatives and exciting celebrations. I give thanks for the many parishioners who have given generously of their time and talents in making this parish such an energetic, faith-filled community.
Maybe the Christmas message this year is a challenge for all of us to become more involved. It is not so much a question of giving more; it is a question of giving more of ourselves. After all, that’s what God was doing when He got involved with us and our world at the first Christmas. Christmas belongs to believers, to those who believe that Jesus Christ, Son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary to reconcile us to one another and to the Father. This is why He came. God will fill us with His peace if there is room in our lives for Him.
Christmas, also, has a way of bringing to Church individuals and families who, for various reasons, have not been to Mass or the Sacraments for months or 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 community. I extend to all new comers an open, grateful heart of welcome. 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.
Thank you for helping us along the journey. May you be blessed with peace and joy at Christmas and in the New Year. 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, intercede for you and our beloved St Michael’s parish always.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I hope to meet each of you in the Church. May Christ abide in your hearts always!
Fr. Pothin, Rector
