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Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,
We don’t know exactly when the Magi
first saw the star and when it finally disappeared, but we know that
time slips by almost without our noticing it. I presume that many a St.
Kieran parishioner would share this insight at the inauguration of our
golden anniversary: “Fifty years… how time flies.”
Advent/Christmas reminds us that God is
the Lord of time and that the movement of time is our share in the
Incarnation. Thus, our appreciation of and gratitude for the gift of
time itself is also appreciation of and gratitude for the gift and
presence of Christ, Who guides and directs our steps to Himself, much
like He did the journey of the Magi to his manger at Bethlehem.
In this New Year, as we celebrate all
that the Lord Jesus in his love, mercy and grace has done for us as a
community of faith these past FIFTY YEARS, let us reflect and remember,
gather and celebrate the gift of time and the gift that is Jesus,
ever-present in our midst. May we imitate the Magi who sought the Lord
and once they found Him, fell on their knees to adore and worship Him
and to offer Him their gifts.
We also offer Christ our gifts—namely
our hearts, our lives, our selves. It’s an honor and a special joy to
have our friend and Episcopal vicar, Bishop Joseph Perry with us at the
start of our celebration of fifty years of faith, family and
fellowship.
With Bishop Perry and
on behalf of the entire parish staff, I invite all to share in the gift
of fellowship at the Taste of St. Kieran taking place after the ten
o’clock Mass in Crawford Hall.
The wisdom of our Christian tradition
tells us that when we encounter Christ, we are always changed by the
encounter. How were the Magi changed by their encounter with Christ?
Scripture gives us no clue or answer but if faithful and authentic
Christians are any gauge, then we can deduce that through their worship
and adoration of the Christ Child, the Magi became living signs of
Christ in their homes, at their workplaces and in their neighborhoods
and surroundings. May our lives become the same.
Let give our hearts and Minds to the
Lord this Christmas Season!--
Fr. Joe |
