Dear Parishioners,

The Lord Jesus has come into the world to bestow upon us grace and life-everlasting. At each Christmas we celebrate not only Jesus’ human birth, but the birth of our salvation. Indeed, we celebrate the mystery of the incarnation at every Mass. As the priest prepares the chalice adding a few drops of water to the wine he says this prayer: ‘by the mystery of this water and wine, may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled Himself to share in our humanity.’ This is a great summary of the meaning of Christmas. God descends to us, so as to elevate us to Himself, making us, by His grace, sharers in His own divinity. How can we not rejoice at so great a gift? There is literally nothing greater that God could possibly have bestowed upon us. At every Christmas the Church proclaims with one voice: Jesus Christ our Lord is indeed Emmanuel: God with us! May we, for our part, be one with Him, in heart, mind and soul. 

Let me take the opportunity to convey my heart-felt gratitude to all the many parishioners who contribute to the life of the parish in so many ways: Sacristans, servers, choir, money collectors and counters, groundsmen, church cleaners, care-group, prayer groups, readers, various committee members, and the list goes on! Without your support the parish could not survive, much less flourish as it does through the generosity of your time, talents, and financial support. It’s been great to see the parish recovering from the COVID era and being built up. With God’s abundant blessings may it continue to go from strength to strength in the coming year.

Wishing you and your families a blessed and peaceful Christmas! 

Yours in Christ, 

Fr Francis Denton