My sisters and brothers,
Come, Lord Jesus Christ!
This year, through our St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper program, our parishes were blessed to reach more than 360 families and individuals in need—a beautiful and tangible sign of God’s love made visible through our faith community.
I witnessed many generous hearts at work: parishioners offering their time, energy, and care to prepare the hampers, and our dedicated members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society serving faithfully to ensure that each gift was shared with dignity and compassion. This ministry is about more than food or material support; it is about sharing hope, restoring joy, and reminding our brothers and sisters that they are never forgotten.
At Christmas, we celebrate Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift of love to the world. Through your generosity, that love was made present in the lives of those who needed it most. Thank you, dear parishioners, for living the Gospel so beautifully and for making this annual outreach a true expression of faith in action. May the Lord bless you abundantly, and may the joy of Christmas continue to inspire us to serve one another with open and generous hearts.
As we continue our Advent journey, the Church invites us to rejoice—not because the world is free of struggle, but because God is near and faithful. Even when King Ahaz wavered, God still offered a sign of hope: Emmanuel, God-with-us. That promise is fulfilled in Jesus, born of Mary’s trusting “yes” and welcomed through Joseph’s quiet and obedient faith.
Psalm 24 reminds us that the world belongs to the Lord and calls us to open wide the gates of our hearts to the King of Glory. St. Paul tells us that we are all “called to be saints,” -partners in God’s saving work through the obedience of faith. This faith does not deny the darkness around us; it sees reality fully and still chooses hope. Every act of love, mercy, justice, and compassion is a sign that God is at work among us. Like Mary, Joseph, and Paul, we are invited to trust, to act, and to share in God’s mission.
Rejoice—the Lord is near. He walks with us, works through us, and calls us to help build His Kingdom of life, justice, and peace. Amen God loves you! ~ Fr. Neil