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Christmas 2011
Pastor’s Message
Our Dear Parishioners of St. Joseph’s and St. Anthony’s
Parish,
On this joy-filled time of the year, we listen to
the Prophet Isaiah:
“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
(First Reading,
Mass during the Night)
And together with the Psalmist we sing: “A light will
shine on us this day: The Lord is born for us.”
(Psalm 97, Mass at Dawn) Yes, it is
Christmas!
Christmas as we all know is the season that celebrates
the birth of the Lord Jesus and the ways he manifested
the presence of God among us. It is the time of the
year where sharing and giving is
the most common and natural thing to do. Let me
take this Season of Christmas, my dear sisters and
brothers to remind us that we can also celebrate
Christmas everyday and every moment of our lives.
We experience Christmas every time we celebrate the Holy
Eucharist. A spiritual writer and an Archbishop from
the Philippines, Most Rev. Soc Villegas stated:
“Christmas is not just a day in the year. Christmas is
everyday, in fact it can be every moment. Every time the
priest whispers the words. “This is my Body … this is my
Blood” over the bread and the chalice of wine, it is
Christmas! Every time we celebrate the Mass, God comes
down from heaven; dwells among us; enters our hearts and
stays in our souls… the Mass is a celebration of
Christmas every moment and everyday.”
We experience Christmas every time we practice an act of
generosity and kindness. Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict
XVI and a well-loved saint, Mother Teresa shared the
same message: “It is Christmas every time we allow
Jesus to love others through us….”
(Pope Benedict XVI)
“It is Christmas every time you let God love others
through you...yes, it is Christmas every time you smile
at your brother and offer him your hand.”
(Mother Teresa)
Yes, it is Christmas! Let’s celebrate it today, always
and everyday of our lives through our faithful
celebration of the Holy Eucharist and giving of
ourselves to those in need.
Thank you very much to all of you, my dear parishioners,
for your wholehearted support, participation and
involvement in the life and ministry of our parishes.
Joyful Christmas and Peaceful New Year to all!
With my Christmas Blessings,
Fr. Rectorino M. Tolentino, Jr.
Pastor
“But
what light can truly illuminate our hearts and give us a
firm and sure hope?
It is the Child whom we contemplate on
Christmas, in a poor and humble manger, because He is
the Lord who draws near to each of us and asks that we
receive Him anew in our lives, asks us to want Him, to
trust in Him, to feel His presence, that He is
accompanying us, sustaining us, and helping us".
-
Pope Benedict XVI
Let us ponder in our hearts the great mystery of the
Child that was born in Bethlehem – Emmanuel – God with
us!
May we constantly give thanks to God for His goodness to
us, and joyfully proclaim to those around us the good
news that God offers us freedom from whatever weighs us
down:
He gives us hope, He brings us life.
Joyful Christmas and Peaceful New Year to all!
Fr. Rectorino M. Tolentino, Jr. & St. Joseph’s Parish
Leadership Team
PARISH LIFE
| Parish Pastoral
Council: |
Michael DesHarnais |
| Finance
Committee: |
Laura Bolster |
| Liturgy
Committee: |
Gemma Gillis |
| Social
Committee: |
Juan Alvarado, Alex Bussmann |
| Diocesan
Appeal: |
Michael DesHarnais |
| Social Justice: |
Vigil Overstall, Marj Coupe |
| Refugee
Committee: |
Brian Burrill |
| Youth Group: |
Janna Delany & Fr. Rector |
| Altar Servers: |
Nancy Verbeek |
| Catholic
Women’s League: |
Johanna Habjan |
| St. Joseph’s
School: |
Janna Delany |
