From Father Steven

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I wish this letter to be the Christmas card to all of you, especially for those who did not receive any cards, who are alone tonight, or away from family and friends.

“And so, this is Christmas!” After four weeks preparing ourselves during Advent, we welcome into our hearts, the Child Jesus who is born for us. In order to celebrate Christmas, it is necessary to have faith, otherwise it will be like any other holiday.

Christmas is the greatest time of adoration, in which the divine (angels) and the human (Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds), heaven and earth, come together to contemplate the birth of our Savior. In this silent night, as the Prophet Isaiah says “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” (Is 9:6)

Let us celebrate Christmas with holiness, having in our hearts that which is essential, namely, love, friendship, forgiveness and reconciliation. As we celebrate it with our families and friends, let’s not forget HIM in our prayers and in our hearts. He is the main focus of this day/season. Indeed, he is the focus of our lives, the light that shines in our darkness.

As we exchange gifts these days, keep in mind the words of pope Benedict XVI at the midnight mass in 2006, “Among the many gifts that we buy and receive, let us not forget the true gift: to give each other something of ourselves, to give each other something of our time, to open our time to God.” Regardless if the gift is expensive or cheap, whoever cannot give a little bit of himself with the gift, always gives little. And if someone does not receive any gifts, remember that in this Holy Night, we can receive the greatest gift ever, God, himself is given to us! God takes our humanity, so that He can give us His divinity!

I pray that the Child Jesus may find the doors of our hearts opened to receive Him, so that we can glorify and praise God for all we have heard and seen.

On behalf of our priests, staff and IC parish and school community we wish you and your family MERRY CHRISTMAS, FELIZ NAVIDAD, FELIZ NATAL, JOYEUX NOËL.

God bless,
Fr. Steven