A Christmas Letter from Fr. Bob

From our Pastor:

Joy to the world! Christ our Savior is born, and God is made visible to us in the flesh! From this weekend, we celebrate the Birthday of birthdays, of the One Who is the Divine Giver in our shared humanity of every good gift. We join Blessed Mary and Joseph, the angels and shepherds, and Christians across the centuries and around the world in coming to adore the Lord Jesus as our Newborn King.

Just as the Holy Family had to travel some distance that first Christmas, we welcome all of those who are visiting St. Anthony, especially for the first time. You are the Lord’s gift to us, and we invite you to find in our Parish your spiritual home.

Special thanks to each member of our parish staff, maintenance crew, our magnificent choirs, and the many volunteers whose countless hours of work - so much of it unseen, behind the scenes - have prepared so well for a beautiful beginning to our Christmas festivities.

It is important to note that our celebration of Christmas has just begun—it cannot be restricted to simply one day! We actually observe in the Church the first eight days of Christmas (known as the Christmas Octave—December 25 to January 1) as a single, uninterrupted celebration of Christmas Day.

Thank you profoundly for all of the gifts, prayers, and other expressions of friendship you have extended these past days. From the whole staff at St. Anthony may your Twelve Days of Christmastide continue to be merry, blessed, and bright!

St. Anthony de Padua, pray for us!

– Fr. Bob

Fr. Robert Garrow, Pastor
St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Parish