Merry Christmas, friends! I pray that the joy at celebrating the first coming of Our Lord into the world stirs up in our hearts a desire to prepare ever more fervently for His second arrival. We live between the mysteries of Jesus’ Incarnation and His glorious return, and praise God for the vocation we are called to live here and now.

If there’s one thing the last few years have taught me, it’s that there’s no point in saying “What an eventful year this has been!” in Christmas wrap-ups. Every year is an eventful year. Things seem to be happening at an alarming pace. Have you noticed how many things happen nowadays?  I’ll bet we’re up to roughly a thousand things-per-second these days, according to my very scientific calculations. With that in mind, I’d like to step back from the chaos of another year in the books to take stock of where we are and where we’re going.
 
It is encouraging to see both the increase in numbers (which can be objectively measured) and the growth in depth of Faith (which is anecdotal, but well-noted) in our region over this past year. We have seen faster growth than any other parishes in our area, and perhaps the fastest growth in the Archdiocese. This is largely fueled by our Latino brothers and sisters, and that also provides us with a helpful blueprint for how to evangelize and welcome people into the Faith. Fr. Jeff and I have noticed a rise in the number of confessions heard in the region, and there are signs of a deepening devotional life that warm the cockles of my cold, dead heart. People’s generosity with their time, talent, and treasure continues to be an immensely humbling part of my life as a pastor, and I can’t thank you all enough for everything you do for the Church.

This year has also seen a continued pandemic, sinkholes in the parking lot, a renovation delay, renovations completed, a parish sign get obliterated by a stolen car, and many other crises that came and went with little notice. I cannot stress enough how great the staff here is, and how much they do behind the scenes to make things work, and to preserve my sanity. Looking back at this year, and my time as a pastor in general, I can feel the Lord putting it on my heart to do more to both communicate and model the fact that, as a parish, we are not a vendor. We live in a consumer world, a reality that is perhaps clearer than ever during the
holiday season, filled with endless buying and next day shipping. People are used to getting exactly what they want, when they want it, if they’re willing to pay the price. Sometimes this mentality is overt and obvious, like when an engaged couple struggles to understand that there is music we won’t allow and certain things we can and cannot do at a wedding. Other times it is more subtle, and creeps into our hearts in unexpected ways. But we must constantly remind ourselves that this is not who we are, and it’s not what we do. Yes, we strive to fulfill every reasonable request, and to do so with joy. But we’re not in the business of customer service; we are in the business of conversion
of souls.
 
So, in the coming year, in those times when we’re frustrated about why the Church does what she does, or in those moments when one of you, my beloved spiritual children, finds yourself at odds with some decision, we can
remember that we are called to be different from the world. Charity can, and should, pervade our every action and conversation, even in the midst of tension. The beauty of Christmas, after all, is the fact that God comes into the world to transform every facet of our lives. May He continue the work of transforming our hearts, and our parish, and may we be open to His grace.