My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
A Blessed Christmas to all of you. I pray that you had a Blessed Christmas with your family and friends. This week as part of our Octave of Christmas, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. In this weekend’s Gospel reading we hear how God led Joseph through a dream to flee to Egypt as Jesus was in danger because of Herod. The journey to Egypt was for Jesus to relive the Exodus experience of Israel. Jesus, by coming into our lives, is meant to draw us out from where we are and lead us into something new – to know that God can renew our lives.
With the new year coming in just a few days, I would like on behalf of Fr Steve and all the staff of St John Vianney and Mary Our Queen to wish you a Blessed New Year. I pray that this new year will be a Blessed one for you and your family.
As this column is due on December 18, all I can say is that my recovery from my ankle surgery has been slower than I hoped. I managed to be present at both penance services and a few confession times but am not able to do much more. I will be visiting the doctor on the 29th of December and hopefully I will be able to put some weight on my ankle and begin some therapy that will allow me to get back on my feet.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the generosity you have shown both St John Vianney and Mary Our Queen. Because of your generosity we continue to carry out the mission entrusted to us by Christ.
I would like to thank all the priests who have been so generous in assisting us in the liturgies since my surgery. I would also like to thank Archbishop McGovern for celebrating an All School Mass at Mary Our Queen on December 18 and for Archbishop Lucas for celebrating Christmas Eve Mass at St John Vianney and Christmas Day Mass at Mary Our Queen.
Blessed Christmas and New Year ahead,
Fr Marc
