I hope this finds everyone in the true spirit of Christmas!  But remember, it’s not over!  This weekend we celebrate the Holy Family, next is the Epiphany, and then we close out the Christmas Season with the Baptism of  the Lord, going back to Ordinary time on the 11th.  These coming weekends serve as reminders that with any birth there is a new journey to discover Christ and that giving thanks follows. 
It becomes so easy to want to take down the decorations and continue or get back to life in the way it was before. That is precisely why the Church, in her great Wisdom, makes us aware through our upcoming readings that it’s not over.  Quite honestly, I have entertained the thought of keeping my Christmas tree up until the pandemic is completely over.  Maybe it’s out of laziness or not having the time, but in a real sense, it’s to not let go of this sacred moment. To keep focused on what this birth has brought with it. Examples of humility, love, obedience, and selflessness. Those are hard things to live out each and every day, and we need reminders. 
I’m not saying I’m going to keep my tree up, but I’m also not saying I’m going to take it down right away!  It helps to serve as that reminder. Gives hope. Gives comfort. Gives that great reminder Christ is now among us, dwelling in each and every one of our hearts!
As we remember the Holy family this weekend, we look at the courage of both Mary (her YES) and Joseph (his not turning away). We look at the center of our own families to notice the love, the caring, even the imperfections.  We attempt to model our families after that of Jesus’, knowing we are never going to get it 100% right, but also knowing if it follows that model of the Holy Family, it will be full of love at it’s very center. 
I also wanted to take a moment and  thank all those who took time to send me a card, picture card (love them), gifts, gift cards/certificates, and money.  You really have a way with your words to make a priest feel loved and appreciated.  Thank you for helping make this a special first year for me as your pastor!
May each of you have a blessed week, you each remain in my prayers.
 
Fr. Barry

I’m still having a hard time believing we are less than a week away from Christmas Day, how did it get here so quickly?  There are subtle reminders all around us; lights on houses, wreaths on doors, Christmas tree’s glistening through front windows.  People are wearing their award winning ugly sweaters (or maybe they didn’t win, but definitely should have!), they’re flocking the stores with masks adorned, and antlers have been placed on the  windows of their cars. Kitchens emit the smell of baking and presents are being wrapped.  Christmas cards and packages are being delivered to the Post Office.  The season is upon us!
Again I ask, how did this happen so quickly?
2000 years ago that question was seen in reverse.  Why did it take so long?  The scriptures had foretold of the coming of the Messiah, yet year after year, generation after generation, no one had yet experienced Him.  But then, 2000 years ago, every man, woman and child were called to their ancestral towns in order for the proper tax to be placed on them.  And in that journey, from   Nazareth to Bethlehem a prophecy was fulfilled.  At long last, our Savior was to be born! 
As we prepare this week for the coming of our Lord, we look with great JOY toward a life changing event.  Just think, if this had not happened, what kind of world would we be  living in?  Our Constitution is largely attributed to Christian guidance; “In God we Trust”.  Our laws are  governed by a moral compass, our way of life leads way to the teaching of Jesus Christ, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  The world would look very different if the JOY of Christ did not penetrate it so deeply. 
My friends, may this Christmas be a time of giving, a time of bringing families together (even if is via Zoom or FaceTime),  may it be a celebration for all the beautiful graces God has bestowed on each of us through the birth of His Son. 
The Lord is coming, are we ready to celebrate the true meaning of this coming?  A King is about to be born, “for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Have a blessed Christmas and help bring in that JOY that Christ’s birth has given each of us!
Fr. Barry

As we’ve been contemplating repentance in our lives and our hearts during the first two weeks of Advent, this third week there is a shift, a new direction if you will.  The third candle is lit, rose in color on this Gaudete Sunday, and there is movement of  JOY and celebration for what is coming. 
The theme or representation of the color change is the Shepherd candle or the candle of JOY.  That of which is coming and approaching rather quickly. 
Do we forget about the repentance part of Advent now?  Do we look only to the JOY that Christ is about to bring through His birth?  I believe it is an equal balance of both.  One in which repentance  brings us to that JOY the Lord gives to each of us. 
“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert … make straight the way of the Lord.”  Words spoken by John the Baptist who paved the way for Christ’s coming. 
How are we doing with that?  Are we making “straight the way of the Lord”?  As I reflected on that line, I look at how my time is being spent in preparation for the birth of our Lord.  Daily Holy hour √, Office of the Liturgy √, daily Mass √, being the face of Christ to those I encounter … hmmm.  I would like to think I have been most of the time, but snapping back at someone that snapped at me...that’s not being the face of Christ.  Is that bringing about JOY to every person and in every circumstance I encounter? 
My friends, that JOY we celebrate isn’t a false smile or dull emotion, it is our hearts on fire for something amazing to come.  It’s done through reflection, adoration, attending Mass, doing and not just ignoring Advent or going through the motions. 
Joy is trusting when you want to doubt.  Joy is receiving what you want to reject.  Joy is celebrating when you want to fear.
May the Joy of this Advent Season awaken us to the call in the desert, He is coming, He is truly coming!
Blessings for a fruitful week,
Fr. Barry

As we begin this second week of Advent, we light a second purple candle to represent the hope of Christ coming to the world.
Think of a time 2000 years ago that Jesus wasn’t present. The Roman Empire was taking over, killing anyone who stood in it’s way.  People’s lives were uprooted and possessions they had were taken away. They were taxed heavily to support this movement, usually against their will.  Things look bleak to put it mildly. 
Then, in the small town of Bethlehem, a child is born.  A child of humility, a child inspired by God, a child who in name is a king, but would not be given that honor due him.  He would be taught in the Jewish faith by devote parents, and when it was his time (around the age of 30), he would mesmerize anyone he came into contact with. Spreading God’s word, healing the sick, allowing us to see the world in a different way, bringing us HOPE.
Did that hope stop at his crucifixion? Did it stop at his ascension into heaven? Did it stop when the last Apostle was martyred?
Not even close! That hope continues in what Christ brought us at his birth. The opening of something new we hadn’t had before. Teachings that would raise an eyebrow to those that heard it first hand, but teachings that would make sense and be passed down from generation to generation. Different ways to see our neighbor, not as pests or annoyances, but as the children of God in which they were created. We would learn that life isn’t all about “me”, but instead to use the gifts God instilled in us to better the communities we live in. 
My friends, as we journey through this Advent Season, we prepare ourselves for something BIG. Something that will rock the world we live in. This isn’t something that just happened 2000 years ago, this is something that happens each and every year. Our human nature allows us to forget, or let our guards down. But what we experience this Advent reminds us that Christ’s birth is an all inspiring event that requires our attention and preparation. 
Hope is alive because the King is coming. He is bringing joy and peace. He brings mercy and compassion.  He is bringing himself to us in HOPE of winning our hearts with his love. 
May each of you have a blessed Advent. Take time to sit with our readings. Take time to contemplate all the good things God has given us through his Son, Jesus Christ. There’s plenty of bad things in this world, wouldn’t hope be something that is long overdue. Christ brings that, take hold and prepare for something amazing!
Fr. Barry