December 14, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Our season of waiting and preparation continues! I pray that everyone’s hearts are gradually turning toward celebration of the Lord’s birth, I would encourage each family in our parish to spend some time gathered around a Nativity scene in your home. It might be a simple drawing of the manger, or a fancy carved scene with statues. Whichever it is, I always find it important to spend some time in prayer before the manger, and it’s a good custom to have in the family, as well. When you gather on Christmas day to prayer before the image of the Christ child, here is a prayer I would offer for your consideration: "O God, whose Son was born in Bethlehem long ago, lead us in our hearts to the same place where Mary laid her Child. As we look on him with wonder and worship, help us welcome him in our lives, in each other, and in the poor. God of all love, bless us in your great love, through Christ our Lord. Amen." I would also add my invitation to the whole parish to our Advent penance service this Thursday (December the 18th) at 6pm. We’re going to have about half a dozen priests hearing confessions, starting at 6pm and going until everyone has had the opportunity to offer the gift of their heart to the Lord. This is a great opportunity to “come to the manger” with the same spirit of simplicity and joy that the Lord showed in his birth at Bethlehem. Together, as parish family, we look forward to the coming of the Light, through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, and our patron St. Thomas. God bless,

Father Jantz