Dear St. John Neumann Families and Friends,

Merry Christmas!

When I was a kid I loved Christmas Eve – I still do, of course. I would frequently attend midnight Mass with part of my family or with friends. If I wasn’t serving I was occasionally sent to the choir loft to count how many people passed out or vomited because of the close-quarters. After Mass my mother and I would stay up even later and work on Christmas presents and other treats with Saturday Night Live playing in the background. During these times together Mom would drop little assurances and encouragements. Looking back – those are some of the greatest Christmas gifts I received… some because they were hilarious, some because the were insightful, but all of them because they were spontaneous and freely given.

Such motherly graces were little reflections of Christ’s grace working through a parent. The Father so loves us that He sent us His greatest gift – His Son. Christ is the Word of God and so is if for us God’s own Word of life, healing, forgiveness, peace, comfort and reconciliation. I pray that in the year ahead, each of us may learn to speak and to hear more and more that same Word – Christ Himself. Just as Jesus grew and walked with the Holy Family and His disciples, He calls us to walk with Him, with others and to listen and speak his consolation, charity and truth to all.

Know that you and your families are all in my prayers as we approach this great Feast of the Father’s love for us. God bless you all and Merry Christmas!

In Christ,

Fr. Joe