Dear St. Simon Parish Family,

 

Merry Christmas!! The message of Christmas is breathtaking in its simplicity and profound in its meaning. God did not send a messenger to tell us about love—He sent His Son, who is Love itself. Jesus is the Word made flesh, Love incarnate, Emmanuel—God with us. He entered our world not in power and majesty, but as a vulnerable child, born in a stable, laid in a manger. In this profound act of humility, God revealed the depth of His love for each one of us.

 

Christmas reminds us that we are not alone. God chose to experience our humanity—our joys, our struggles, our fragility—to show us how deeply we are loved and to teach us how to live. Jesus came to show us the way: to love generously, serve humbly, forgive freely, and walk in compassion. His life is the blueprint for ours.

 

This is why we gather at Christmas. We come to Church not out of obligation, but out of desire—to celebrate this extraordinary love, to make room for Christ in our hearts, and to be renewed by His presence. When we gather around the altar, we become part of something greater than ourselves: the Body of Christ, united in faith, hope, and love.

 

And then, we are sent forth. The love we celebrate at Christmas is not meant to stay within the walls of our church. It is meant to overflow into our homes, our workplaces, our neighborhoods, and our world. And the world desperately needs that message. We are called to be that love—to embody the joy and compassion of Christ in how we treat one another, especially those who are lonely, forgotten, or in need.

 

This Christmas, I invite you to join us for one of our beautiful celebrations:

  • Christmas Eve: 3:00 PM or 5:00 PM (both with children’s pageants) or Midnight Mass (with carols beginning at 11:30 PM)
  • Christmas Day: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, or 11:15 AM

Come as you are. Bring your family, invite a friend, welcome a neighbor. Let us fill our church with voices raised in song, hearts opened in prayer, and souls ready to receive the gift of Love Incarnate. And please brave the rain for Christ!

 

This is the season of JOY and LOVE. May we celebrate it fully, welcome Christ deeply, and carry His light into the world brightly. I look forward to seeing you at Mass and celebrating together the wonder of Christmas.

 

Merry Christmas from Fr. Dat, Fr. Thanh and all the Pastoral and School Staff!

God Bless,

Fr. Brendan