St. Alphonsus-St. Clement Parish

Merry Christmas!!!

May the Child Jesus Christ, born to the world be praised today and forever! On this wonderful and blessed Christmas holiday, I would like to extend my best wishes to all who come to worship in St. Alphonsus-St. Clement Parish. Whether you are a faithful parishioner of many years, a person back in the neighborhood for a holiday visit in a church that holds many memories for you and your family or perhaps a person who has “fallen” from the regular practice of the faith, please know that you are most welcome and we truly appreciate your being with us today. We know that there are some Christians who leave the church because of a misunderstanding, a hurt or a refusal, I want to wish you welcome and hospitality as we gather in prayer this day. You may consider this parish, as many do, your spiritual home. You are always “Welcome” (Karibu) Swahili for welcome.

Emmanuel, “God with us”. Prophet Isaiah reminds us; “A child is born to us; a son is given to us”. Today we join together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift, who comes for the salvation of the world and all who are in it. For whatever reason, God does not redeem us through a mighty stroke of His powerful arm, erasing our will and ways, He does not overpower or belittle us; rather, God comes to us as a human being. Limited, vulnerable, weak, the gift of a child shows us God’s supreme love and how intimately connected God is with the human experience. The Challenge of incarnation is to see and believe the connection between God and our lives and between God and the lives of others. This became even clearer to us last week when we had the opportunity to see the Exhibition of “Eucharistic Miracles of the World” displayed in our Church. I want to thank those who were able to come, spend time with Jesus and the many volunteers who were there to guide and welcome visitors. God bless you all.

Merry Christmas!

Fr. Linus