Christmas Message to the faithful

The Christmas season always draws to our churches people who have been absent for a while. As people approach Mass for the first time in weeks, months, maybe even years, uncertainty may accompany them. Returning to Mass, after being away, may be both physically and spiritually challenging. People are longing for a sense of community and stability, and for the opportunity to encounter or re-encounter the God who cares deeply for us, speaks to us out of love, and reveals His “face” in Jesus – true God and true man. Let us remember that hospitality is not a measure of what we do but a condition of the heart, as we seek to evangelize and provide consolation during a difficult time.