Christmas 2021

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Old St. Joseph’s Church:

Christmas is here. And, although we continue to face uncertainties and challenges caused by the worldwide pandemic, as well as unsettling divisions in the world and in our own society, the great promise and peace of Christ’s coming is present in our midst.

The season feels different this year—at least to me. Although joy and celebration in our gatherings may be tempered or restrained this Christmas, we still rightly celebrate the Lord’s arrival into our world, our hearts, and into the realities of our lives right now. It may be that we each need to be especially attentive, and more acutely focused, in allowing the Christ Child to be born in us and in our community this Christmas.

The newborn Christ on the first Christmas came into the world highly vulnerable and subject to the history of his time and the complex circumstances of real life—there was no room for him at the inn, but he was welcomed by Mary and Joseph in deep love.  He was born into a historical time and situation of great instability, and he was surrounded by worldly threats of violence, but he was protected by his Father and by two loving human parents who trusted the call that they each received.  Christ came into the world with the vulnerability of a newborn infant—still with great promise and hope for the future. This same Christ who lives among us now, knows well how to meet each of us in our own personal and communal vulnerability and need in our present.  May we find new ways to let him into our hurts, loss, disappointment, and into our joy. There is indeed much hope-filled joy in our present world even if it may be more difficult to discern so clearly this Christmas.

The true meaning of Christmas began with the birth of Jesus to Mary. May the mystery and blessings of Christmas continue to grow within each of us as we give birth to Christ each day of our lives as we follow him together in the Christian community of faith.  Thank you for the faith you show and share in your lives and presence in the Old St. Joseph’s Parish community. Thank you also for your ongoing devotion to our parish and for your generous support and service to our Christian community and beyond.

On behalf of the OSJ Parish Staff may our generous God bless all of us abundantly this Christmas. Warm wishes and prayers to all in the New Year.

Blessings and Merry Christmas!

Francis T. Hannafey, S.J.
Pastor