Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: December 24, 2017
I hope all of Advent and now the climax of the holiday season has been for you a profound time of grace. Since Christmas 2017 falls on a Monday, we have to manage “2 Masses during 2½ days” sometime between Saturday and Monday, but it’s never really an inconvenience to spend time with the Lord, especially in our decorated Cathedral and with so many good friends accompanying us! In fact, here we don’t just “go through the motions” but actually enter in to the spirit of the whole season by all of our efforts, and especially our work together at providing prayerful liturgy, beautiful décor, inspiring music, and friendly assembly. All who take part in any of our holiday worship, concerts or other services know what I’m talking about!
But you know, a lot of people will toss out their Christmas tree by December 26, box up lights and decorations just as quickly, and deliver the leftover cookies and candy to the soup kitchen before they’re stale. I’m not going to criticize such folks overmuch – they may have good reasons for it after all, like maybe a job or family schedule that demands it – but I am going to feel sorry for them. I like long celebrations, not short ones: while I don’t turn my nose up at brief vacations or quick snacks, I much prefer lengthy trips and leisurely meals! People who can’t linger with their happinesses usually have too little of it.
In reality the joy of Christmas can’t be captured in just one or two celebrations of the holiday. The wonder of God’s Word-made-flesh has so much significance it deserves more attention. Jesus Christ did not just bring a message of hope to His contemporaries: He saved us, 2,000 years later, from our sins as well! He opened for us the way to eternal joy. He gave meaning and purpose to our lives on earth. So don’t feel guilty as you join me in continuing to hum Christmas carols while you linger over thank-you cards: stretch out the inspiration and blessings as long as we can!
Remember our 4 pm New Year’s Eve Mass on December 31 is followed by our traditional “Champagne and Gumbo” meal for everyone in the Parish Hall. If you’re old enough to enjoy a taste of the bubbly – or maybe just if you don’t like to stay up until midnight! – come and ring in the New Year early, with us!
Lastly, in closing, thank you for your generosity to the Cathedral Parish, which is something I know you’ll continue in the New Year of 2018. But also, I want to take this opportunity to thank you and yours for all of the Christmas wishes and personal kindnesses during the holiday season. It is a wonderful blessing to be part of your faith family, and whether it’s the tasty food you drop by the rectory, the welcome gifts you stuff into envelopes, your presence and ministry at Mass, the broad smiles that you share, know it’s all appreciated from the bottom of my heart. Again, may all of your Christmas days be merry and bright!
Sincerely yours in the newborn Christ Child,
Fr. Paul
