I just returned from my parish’s Christmas Vigil Family Mass, which was very nice and very full, as usual. Nothing too fancy, simple cantor and organ, simple music. At the offertory, we had a group of the kids dressed up in costume as Mary, Joseph, shepherds, sheep, and angels bring up the baby Jesus and put him in the crib. Simple and holy.
Not much else to do or say today on the blog. No complaining for me! It’s Christmas! All that stuff can be set aside for a couple of days. Instead, I want to wish you all a Merry and Blessed Christmas and thank you all for reading these, my thoughts and opinions. If it wasn’t for you all I would be talking to myself and that wouldn’t be healthy.
A final thought: as you go to Mass and gather around the table with your families, please remember all our men and women, military and civilian, who are serving our country in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere as well as their families. Especially keep in your prayers those who died in the attacks this week and those who were injured. We owe them a debt we cannot repay, but prayers are a good beginning. Thank you.
Merry Christmas to you also Dom.
I just got back from the much-anticipated Christmas mass at St. Albert’s and figured I’d give you the report.
The mass was a simple celebration, not unlike any of the other Christmas masses. Fr. Borges was the presidor and his homily was a short address to the young children who had acted out the manger scene about the meaning of Christmas.
Father Coyne was not present, but a message of thanks for his Christmas gifts was sent.
The possible closing was put aside for one day and not really mentioned at all.
Many mediatypes were there, asking everyone who would answer for their thoughts on the mass. It was weird seeing cameramen squirm through the crowds as people are trying to pay attention to the mass.
As I’m sure you could have figured, the Church was packed outside the door. Everyone seemed just to be happy to finally have a real mass again. This is all that they want.
We can argue about what the word “vibrant” means, but the church certainly seemed vibrant enough to me. I’ve never attended Christmas mass anywhere else in my life and I’m glad that, at least for one more year, that didnt change.
Merry Christmas Dom and everyone.
Keep,
I’m delighted you’re home from school for Christmas with your folks, and that you participated in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in celebration of Jesus’ birth—as you say, a “real Mass.” God love you.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
In our newborn Savior,
Kelly
Merry Christmas to you and your family Dom.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Dom. May God bless you for the good work you are doing on this blog and on the magazine, which my husband and I inhale as soon as it arrives.
JanTz, a former daily lurker for a year or so