Dear Parishioners,

"Peace on earth, goodwill toward all...”  We hear these words a lot this time of year.  We sing it in our hymns, we proclaim it on banners, and we give each other the "Peace of Christ" at Mass.  Yet as we look around our world, we don't see peace on earth.  There are turf wars in several countries in Africa, unrest in Central and South America, discord and division here in our own country.  Is world peace achievable?  Will there ever be a day when we can truly say that there is peace on earth?  Where do we begin?  We begin with ourselves.

Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of God is within us.  Jesus is our Prince of Peace.  He gives us inner peace, a peace that the world cannot give.  Jesus calls each of us to be peacemakers at home, in our families, at school, and in the workplace.  Jesus has told us, “I leave you peace, my peace I give to you."  Peacemaking begins at home, in our hearts.  It comes through forgiveness of people who have wronged us; it comes through putting hatred and revenge aside; it comes through the presence of Jesus in each one of us.  As families gather for the Christmas holyday, talk about how you can be a peacemaker, how you can, "Let peace begin with me" as the song goes.  May Christ, the Prince of Peace, bless you and your families with peace, love, and hope for the future.

Many thanks to all who donated to our Christmas flower offering in memory of your loved ones.  Merry Christmas to all!

Our Parish Office Hours for Thursday, December 26 are 1-4 p.m. and Friday, December 27 are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

January 1st is the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, a holy day.  Our Mass on New Year's Day will be at 10:30 a.m.  Come and start the New Year off right with prayer and thanksgiving!

Mark your calendars…JAZZ HAPPENS BAND will be back to give us an evening of music and fun on Saturday, January 25th.  Tickets go on sale the weekend of January 4^th & 5^th.  Come, celebrate, and chase the winter "blues" away!
 
Many thanks. God Bless You,  Fr. Paul J. Alciati