Dear Parishioners, Is it Christmas yet? For weeks, we have been asking ourselves this question. After all these weeks of Advent (and all the weeks that the stores and radio stations were playing Christmas music after Halloween), we finally have reached Christmas Day. After waiting all this time for Christmas to arrive, sometimes it seems to go too quickly. The presents are unwrapped; the food is prepared and eaten, and the guests and family members return home. Then it seems that we are left with an empty feeling. Yet as the Church celebrates Christmas, we find that Christmas Day is just the beginning. Not only do we have the Octave of Christmas and the 12 Days of Christmas, but each of these days is also meant to be filled with joy and peace just like it would be on Christmas Day. Don’t be tempted to put Christmas away too quickly. In the past you may have even experienced the after Christmas “blahs.” We just need to take one look at the world around us and see how much the world needs Christmas and the message of Christ that needs to be shown to the world. How can you take the joy and peace that you might feel on this Christmas Day and give it to the world around you? This is what God always intended to have happen when He sent His Son to us on Christmas. It is a reminder how God wanted His Son to change the world. We can all be part of how the world can change. On behalf of our Priests, Deacons, and Staff, we wish all of you and your families a Holy and Blessed Celebration of Christmas! Merry Christmas! Fr. Mark