Dear Friends in Christ,
The Gospel for the Christmas Vigil Mass reads:
“all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
The past few days we have once again been reliving and celebrating the true purpose for which the Son was born unto us. Jesus Christ, Emmanuel came into this world as one like us in all ways except free from sin to teach us how to live as children of our God and brothers and sisters to him and one another. He came to suffer and die on the cross to free us from the power of sin and death and to open for us the gates to eternal life. He came to call us to be children of the light, a resurrection people.
At the lighting of the paschal candle at the Easter Vigil Mass the priest proclaims:
“May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our heart and minds.”
Today, every day, may we truly live as a resurrected people. May we be a people filled with faith, hope and love, who proclaim to all the world: LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD FOR HE IS RISEN ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA.
May God Bless you this Easter Season and always.
Very Reverend James P. Powers
Diocesan Administrator
