December 25, 2005

Dear Christ the Redeemer Parishioners,

“... And the Glory of God filled the heavens.” This is a most blessed day when our long-sought glorious presence of God is found and celebrated within our liturgical Assembly. Today we are able to be touched by God’s Word of promise fulfilled in Jesus, born among us. Today we are able to be touched and to touch the very Body of Christ as we gather at the Lord’s Table. In this wonderful exchange, we become the Body of Christ which we proclaim and which we receive in the Eucharist. The Glory of God again fills our space, our time, and our very selves.

As we gather around the Lord’s Table for this Christmas festival, let us see one another as the blessing which we are to one another. In receiving the gift of the Father’s Son, we are transformed into his people and Christ is born again among us. Let us take heart in this wonderful mystery. Let us be encouraged. Let us give thanks to the Father in Christ Jesus. Such is the gift of God’s People here at Christ the Redeemer.

As your pastor, let me thank you for the gift which you are to the Church, to the parish, and to our local community in Eastern Loudoun and Western Fairfax Counties. Thanks to the ministers within our worshiping community who feed and nourish us with Word and Sacrament. Thanks for those who enrich our coming together. Thanks for the catechists and workers who continue to share the faith with our children. Not least of all, thanks for those who serve our community both within the parish and to the many needy and poor outside the parish. Together we both bring and discover Christ among us. Through your ministry Christ is Emmanuel once again – God with us.

Thank you for those who generously support our mission, our life, and our outreach efforts. Together we continue to be a welcoming community here at Christ the Redeemer. Working together, God has accomplished good things in our world and allowed many to discover the presence of God among us.

With grateful hearts let us hope in our New Year and search out Christ born again among us. The Friars, Father Lino, and the parish staff wish you and your family a blessed and happy Christmas and a New Year filled with God’s blessings of peace and joy.

 

Sincerely,

 

(Fr.) C. Donald Howard, SA
Pastor