From the Pastor's Desk

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

As the song goes, "It's the most beautiful time of the year". And for the real Christian, it's even more beautiful. This is the time we celebrate the heart of our faith: Jesus, God, has come among us...and remains with us always as He promised.

Our American Conference of Bishops has designated this year and next to Eucharistic Revival. They invite all of us to reflect on the Real Presence of Jesus (Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity) in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. The Eucharist isn't just a memorial of something that happened a long time ago; it isn't just a ritual that's part of another ritual (the Mass); it isn't just an invitation to people to gather together in love and prayer. IT IS THE VERY REAL PRESENCE OF JESUS, THE ACTUAL PRESENCE OF OUR SAVIOUR IN OUR MIDST. Jesus didn't say "this is bread; eat it in memory of Me”. He said "This is my BODY...This is my BLOOD"… "Do this in memory of Me”… in other words, eat my BODY. Jesus longs to be totally one with us, in our physicality, not just a God up in the heavens who looks down on multitudes below. And, it is this that we celebrate at Christmas.

When Christ was born, notice the signs He gave us that would indicate His goal and desire to remain with us always in the Blessed Sacrament. He was born in Bethlehem, which means in Aramic Hebrew "House of Bread". The first time the world laid eyes on Him He was laying in a feeding device, a manger. (A manger was the device used to hold food for the flock.) As Christ matured before our eyes, He would refer to Himself as “the Bread of Life”. (Read chapter 6 of John’s Gospel). From the very night of His birth, Jesus manifested the depth of His love for us which would come to be realized in the Eucharist. The heart of Christmas is the Mass and the Eucharist. It’s really what Christmas is all about.

These years of Eucharistic Revival should remind us to recognize other signs which were present on that “Holy Night” of Jesus’ birth. He was born in the darkness of night (not the high point of day-light), on a cold night. (Remember how the shepherds were warming themselves by a fire when the angels appeared.) This is meant to remind us to cleanse ourselves of the darkness and coldness of our souls, so as to worthily and humbly receive Him in Holy Communion. (This is why He gave us the Sacrament of Penance.) And, recall how there was no room in the inn that night. This symbolizes humanity's tragic inability to make room for Him, as He wants to dwell IN THE FLESH in our lives. (Once again, we see now why He gave us the Sacrament of Penance. Remember the prayer we say before Communion: Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof....) See how going to Confession also is a very special part of our observance of Christmas.

These are truths of our Faith. Let us all live our Catholic Faith. These teachings are the heart of the Catholic education which we must communicate effectively to our dear children, and to each other.

Filled with Jesus' Eucharistic Presence in yourselves, may all of you have a truly Blessed, Happy Christmas.

Father McCreedy