Father Michael's Thoughts This Week

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE DECEMBER 25, 2024

Dear Friends,

Merry Christmas to you all. For the last four weeks, we have been preparing for the celebration of the birth of Jesus the long- awaited Messiah whose coming and birth was announced by the prophets. At Christmas we celebrate with joy his birth and first coming. It anticipates his second coming to judge the living and the dead.

I wish to thank you all who have opened the doors of your hearts for Jesus to find a dwelling and home. Let our life and families be centered on Christ as the family of Mary and Joseph was centered on Christ.

I wish to thank you for all your generous contributions towards our respective Churches of Holy Infant and Shepherd of the Hills. Let us be thankful to God for the two major projects accomplished at our Churches this year 2024 namely; Installation of Kneelers at Shepherd of the Hills and Kitchen repairs at Holy Infant.

I wish to extend my thanks and gratitude to the Leadership teams at Holy Infant and Sheperd of the Hills for your time and talent; Finance and Parish Councils and other Committees.

Special thanks go to the choir that make our Liturgy beautiful and lively. Thank you for the beautiful Christmas Carols.

Finally, thank you so much for your love for me as I celebrated my Birthday December 16 and Ordination Anniversary December 19 as well as your Christmas greetings and wishes. May God bless you with abundance.

The Jubilee Year of Grace will officially be inaugurated by Pope Francis in Rome on the December 24th 2024. Our Bishop the Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout will officially open the Holy Year of Grace on Saturday December 28th at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Richmond beginning with Mass at 5:00 pm. Please find more on the Diocesan website on the Jubilee Year of Pilgrims of Grace.  

I will be taking my vacation leaving for Uganda on December 28th and returning January 29th 2025. Fr. Dan Hesko will be taking care of the weekend Masses.

Merry Christmas and Happy New year 2025