Christmas 2023 Message from Fr Joy
Dear Parishioners,
Another year is passing us by. There have been ups and downs, joys and sorrows, moments of ease and worry. But the grace of the Lord has seen us through them all. May God’s name be glorified! As I pen down these few lines for the last newsletter of the year, which also happens to be my last message, what wells up in my heart is GRATITUDE… Gratitude to God and to every member of Sacred Heart Cathedral Community for all that you have been to me during my very short stint of ministry in your midst. With a grateful heart, I pray along with St. Paul: “My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Thank you one and all!
This weekend we light the fourth candle in the advent wreathe which is purple in colour representing Peace and is called the “Angel’s Candle.” The angels sang at the birth of Jesus: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favour.” May our hearts find favour with God that we may come to possess the peace and joy that Jesus brings at his birth.
On Monday, we will be celebrating Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ was an event that the whole world waited and longed for so long. Christmas reminds us of how God showed His Mercy to the mankind by choosing to send His own Son to save a sinful world. Talking to the Personnel of the Holy See and of the Vatican City State with their families on December 14, 2014, Pope Francis said: “This is the true Christmas: the celebration of the poverty of God, who emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant (cf. Phil 2:6); of God who set himself to serve at table (cf. Lk 22: 27); of God who hides from the wise and understanding, and who reveals Himself to babes, to the simple and the poor (cf. Mt. 11:25); of the ‘Son of Man who came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (cf. Mk 10:45).
Christmas reminds us that God shared His love by giving us His Son. Christmas above all, Pope Francis said, is the celebration of peace on earth brought by the Baby Jesus: “Peace between heaven and earth, peace between all peoples, peace in our hearts; the peace sung by the angels: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men of good will” (cf. Lk 2:14). A peace which needs our enthusiasm, our care, to warm cold hearts, to encourage downcast souls and to light up lifeless eyes with the light of Jesus’ face.
Let us respond to God’s love joyfully by sharing our health, wealth, talents and blessings with our brothers and sisters in whom we encounter the Babe of Bethlehem and come to experience and possess His lasting peace!
The parish leadership team and parish office staff would like to wish you all
A Joyous Christmas and A Prosperous New Year 2024
May the Baby Jesus of Bethlehem bless you all!
Fr. Joy Raphal
