The Pastor's column is not available this weekend due to a very early printing deadline and the Winter storm we had over the Christmas holydays.  Look for Father Bill's thoughtful comments next week.

The end of the calendar years gives us pause to look back and encourages us to look ahead.  That exercise can be long and exhausting, and not always fulfilling.  I want to focus on living in the present moment, with recognition that the Lord desires to be our day-to-day Companion through the ups-and-downs that life brings.  The beautiful passage from Isaiah 9:1-6 which was the first reading at the midnight Mass, speaks of the long-awaited Messiah as being Wonderful-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.  What a blessing it is when we let Jesus be all these things and more each and every day.  When we "live in the moment" with Jesus, we don't let stress, worry and other negatives get the best of us or even completely overwhelm us.  Let's make our prayer, early in the new year, reflect our heart's desire, that "Christ be beside me, Christ be before me, Christ be behind me, King of my heart . . . ," confident that it will assuredly make our future bright.  God bless you all in the coming calendar year 2013!  (The song quoted was "Christ Be Beside Me" by Laura Wasson).

We are now at the doorstep of Christmas.  For some, the real stress begins in earnest.  What a perfect time then to turn all our worries over to Jesus and remember that what will make Christmas memorable and fruitful, is to truly celebrate what Christmas really and simply is all about.  It celebrates Emmanuel-that-is-GOD IS WITH US in the presence and power of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord and the Holy Spirit until the end of time.  With so many visitors with us for our Christmas Masses, it is imperative that we present ourselves in a hospitable, joy-filled way and give our hearts in praise of the God who loved us so much that He sent His only Son.  Our faith in the mystery of Christ's birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension to glory is hopefully the cornerstone of our hopes and dreams for ourselves, our families, our country and the world.  The pronouncement of the angels will hopefully be the cry from our lips and hearts "Glory to God in the Highest and on earth, peace to those on whom His favor rest." (Luke 2:14).  A Blessed Christmas and Christmas season to all of you.