Dear Parishioner and Friend of The Sunday Mass,

"Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)

Yes, Christmas is a time of great joy but also many other emotions. It is a wonderful Holy Day and holiday. It is a time of meaningful prayers, beautiful liturgies and heartfelt music. It is also a time of family, friends, decorations, gatherings, wonderful food and excited children. But for me it is also a time to remember my father. My father died on Christmas morning thirty-seven years ago. You might think that his death on Christmas Day makes Christmas a sad and difficult time. If I am honest, yes at first there were some difficult Christmases. But I have come to celebrate Christmas in a much deeper way since my father’s death. It is special to remember Christ’s birth into this world and my father’s birth into eternal life on the same day!

The Christmas Season can be joyous and wonderful but it can also be a struggle. It can be the best of what life is but it can also amplify the struggles and difficulties that we all live with from time to time. Our challenge is to focus on the gift of God’s love and how that love touches our lives even in the midst of difficulties and struggles.

As we make our way through the Christmas Season and into the New Year let us remember that some of us struggle with loneliness, the pain of remembering family and friends who are no longer with us and the distractions and busyness of life. Wherever we find ourselves during this holy season let us take time to be touched by its true meaning. The meaning of Christmas lies beyond gifts, trees, decorations and merriment – these things are good and helpful – but the true meaning of Christmas lies in the profound love God offers us in his own Son, Jesus Christ.

Through the gift of Christmas, Jesus touches our world in a life giving way. He has come amongst us some 2000 plus years ago and continues to come amongst us by being born in each of our hearts each and every day of our lives.

The most profound way that we can celebrate the gift of this season is through the Eucharist and once again we offer you a special one-hour Christmas Mass. We hope to make this year celebration a wonderful encounter with the most profound gift that God has given us. Our main celebrant for our Christmas Mass this year will be The Most Reverend Neil Tiedemann, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Bishop Neil is also a Passionist and a wonderful preacher and we are grateful to have him lead us in the Christmas celebration this year!

Please check your local TV listings for the times that The Christmas Mass will be aired. Even though Christmas is not on a Sunday, The Christmas Mass will be aired on the UPTV Channel this year beginning at 6:00 am - 7:00 am. nationwide, in the New York tri-state area on WLNY channel 10/55 from 9:00 am - 10:00 am and WWOR channel 9 from 7:00 am - 8:00 am. If the channel you usually watch The Sunday Mass on does not air the hour long Christmas Mass you can always watch it on our web site www.TheSundayMass.org. It will be available for viewing beginning on Christmas Eve.

Please know that during this most holy time of the year we would like to remember your Intentions in a prayerful way. Please use the form attached to this letter to tell us who and what you would like us to pray for during this Christmas season.

We will place your Intentions next to the altar throughout the Christmas season and lift your prayer to God as we lift our voices, minds, hearts, and spirits in prayer during The Sunday Mass celebrations.

May the blessing of God’s joy and mercy be upon you and those you love throughout this holy season and always.

Peace in the Child Jesus,

Fr. Paul R. Fagan, C.P.
Pastor and Host of The Sunday Mass