(Isaiah 9:6): A Child is born to us, and a Son is given to us: Whose government is upon His shoulder: and His name shall be Called the Angel of great counsel (Introit from Third Mass of Christmas during the Daytime).
Christmas 2018
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
I wish you and all your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
With great joy I look forward to celebrating my first Christmas with you as your new pastor. Many know that the original plan was for me to leave after Christmas for Marin; but man proposes, God disposes. I believe it was Our Lady in her Immaculate Conception and Immaculate Heart and Our Lady of Knock, who made this change happen. I pray that I may be her faithful and loving servant during my time with you. An old priest I knew in my youth often said “Mary Christmas.” Yes, Mary, Our Blessed Mary, shows us how to best receive Jesus into our hearts, with tender love, strong faith, and undying hope.
There is a traditional German Christmas song that begins “Alle Jahre wieder kommt das Christuskind; every year the ChristChild comes to us again.” Yes, He first came 2018 years ago, and He will come again at the end of the world. However, every single day, and especially at Christmas, He wants to come to us so that we might continue to be reborn in Him through grace. Christmas is a time to more fully and lovingly embrace Jesus my personal Lord and Savior.
There is a long standing tradition that Jesus was born in Bethlehem at Midnight at the darkest time of the year to make clear that He comes as a light shining in the darkness of fallen humanity – to bring us Godly warmth, guidance, good cheer, and most importantly love. He came and will continue to come to us as our last, best, and only hope.
At Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish we are committed to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. We are committed to serve God, family, and country. I thank you for your past and continued support of the ministry we share in Christ. I am counting on your much needed assistance in the coming year. If you haven’t already done so, please consider a special gift to the parish at Christmas. We have almost reached our goal for the archbishop’s annual appeal. Please try to donate before the end of the year, which is also good for tax purposes. On behalf of all I offer you my sincerest thanks. I share with you a bright vision now and in the future. Indeed, it is far better to light even one little candle, than to curse the darkness. You will be with me in a special way at the four Masses for Christmas that I will happily celebrate.
May each of us live in the light of Christ and radiate that light to others the best we can. God is good!
Mary love you! God bless you and all your loved ones! Thank you for your warm and cordial welcome to IHM. I daily thank God for the privilege to be with you.
Yours in the Divine Savior and Mary, the Mother of God, Fr. Mark G. Mazza, pastor