A Christmas Letter from Fr. Dennis

My Dearly Beloved Parishioners in Christ,

With deep joy and gratitude, I extend to you my prayerful best wishes
for a holy and blessed Christmas. During this Advent Season, it has
been my prayer that each of you would find opportunities to reflect on
your own faith and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and His
Church. Whatever it is that our hearts and souls desire, whether we
realize it or not, our ultimate desire is Jesus Himself, for this reason,
we are filled with joy and consolation at Christmas to know that all
that we hoped for has been fulfilled in the person of the Christ Child.

Several years ago I received a Christmas card with this message:

“This Christmas, I wish you Jesus.” On the inside it read: “Isn’t nice to
have everything!”

In the midst of all our current challenges and concerns, the love of
God is made manifest to us in the wonderful gift of His Son, Jesus.
With the angels in Bethlehem, our faith moves us to sing: “Glory to
God in the highest and peace to His people on earth!” We recognize
that true peace on earth flows from our recognition and praise of God
in our lives.

Christmas has a way of bringing to Church individuals and families
who, for various reasons, have not been to Mass or the Sacraments
for months or years. What a wonderful and grace-filled opportunity to
put aside past differences and old habits and begin a new prayerful
relationship with the Lord and His Church community. I extend to all
of you an open, grateful heart of welcome. Together, may we grow in
strength and grace to know and celebrate together God’s presence in
our lives and His dominion over all things of this world.

May our Lord Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, bless you, your
families and loved ones at this blessed time of hope and grace. May
Mary, the Mother of the Child Jesus and our Mother, watch over you
and our beloved St. Anthony Parish always.

“In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways…
In these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.”
Hebrews 1:12

I hope to meet each of you in the Church. May Christ abide in your
hearts always!

Merry Christmas 2022 and a Happy New Year 2023!
Father Dennis Hoffman