As part of the beautification project of our Church, a large acrylic painting has been commissioned for the south wall. It will be a depiction of the Holy Family outside of their home in Nazareth.

To say that Nazareth was a humble, back-water place is an overstatement. It was a small hamlet of about 150 families and was founded by descendants of the royal family of King David. It is located in northern Galilee approximately 20 miles west of the Sea of Galilee.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

It has been a good advent, albeit a quick one from my perspective. I think that means I am getting old. If you are traveling this week, have a safe journey and a Merry Christmas! If you are in town for Christmas, I look forward to seeing you TWICE this coming weekend and extending Christmas greetings to you in person!

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

Despite many historians' attempts to link the Christmas tree to an ancient pagan practice, it is Christian in origin. As the story goes, St. Boniface and his companions interrupted an event where there was to be the sacrifice of a child. With his bishops’ staff (crozier) in hand, Boniface approached the pagan crowd, who had surrounded the base of the Thunder Oak, saying to his group, “Here is the Thunder Oak, and here the cross of Christ shall break the hammer of the false god, Thor.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

The Advent Calendar

The Advent calendar or Adventhaus began in Scandanavia and Germany, especially in the regions of the Palatinate and Hesse. Its purpose is to help children become aware of the expectancy of Advent. Sometimes the Advent calendar is a picture of a house with 23 small windows and 1 large window that are opened to reveal the tiny religious symbols, icons and pictures behind them.