"My brothers and sisters in Christ,
 
Greetings from the Holy Land! I have been visiting the sites here in Palestine and Israel since we landed here on Pentecost Sunday. For the past five days we have been in and around Jerusalem, and tomorrow we will head to Galilee to visit some of the places of Jesus' early life and ministry. The days have been very warm and have seen a lot of walking, but I cannot begin to express what a joy it has been to celebrate the sacraments here in the birthplace of Our Lord and His Church. I visited here five years ago as a seminarian, but being here as a priest and a pastor is a special grace, and I have been praying for you all immensely. At the sacrifice of the Mass I have especially remembered Fr. Lambert, the deacons and staff, and all those I serve or have served as a priest.
 
So far I have sat in a confessional in the Church at Gethsemane, offered a special Christmas Mass at the Church of the Nativity, and yesterday I celebrated Mass INSIDE THE LORD'S TOMB. It was for sure a top five moment of my priesthood, and I include here a picture of me exiting the tomb for the Agnus Dei, which is now my favorite picture of me ever. Know that you all continue to remain in my intentions as I visit these incredible places, and I ask that you pray for me, both that it can continue to be a spiritually fruitful trip for me and for others, and that I don't sweat through this cassock in the heat of the Jerusalem sun...
 
God bless you all,
 
Fr. McC"