Dear Family,
Last week I asked, “So why did he come?” As I thought about it my memories took me down the path of seeing Jesus as our greatest gift. He came to us to give the ultimate gift, eternal life. Now that a week has passed since present-opening, I’m asking myself another question. Today, is my best memory of Christmas 16 the realization that Jesus was my best gift?
Two weeks ago, someone asked me to bless a set of keys that were for a car he was giving to his wife. I don’t remember who the gentleman was, but I hope his wife really enjoyed and will continue to enjoy her special gift. I’m hoping and praying that they both not only enjoyed being giver and givee, but also knew that the gift of the car was nothing compared to the gift of Jesus, who was the reason for the gift in the first place. “Jesus, is the reason for the season,” as the old catchphrase goes.
And unlike the car, Jesus won’t wear out. You just need to keep Him on the road, your road. After all, this week’s header says it all, not only has He come but He is still coming. Praise God for the gift of time He gives us to realize again in a special way, that Jesus is always here. He said he’d send His Spirit. What could make our New Year any happier than that?
I know the Spirit is showing us ways to celebrate the coming of Jesus. For the second year one parish family sent us money, over and above their regular contributions, to supplement our “Drive Out Hunger” effort. They sent $5000. They trusted us to give it away and we did. I feel wonderful about that, and I feel just as touched when I see Steve Flood from the food pantry at Blessed Sacrament parish, coming by – last week accompanied by the son of a big car dealership family - to help carry the food you placed in the grocery carts at the church doors.
If we can keep up our efforts, a can of tomato sauce here, a five thousand dollar check there, maybe someday we dent hunger and also lay bare the reality that, “He is still Coming.” Remember last week I mentioned Jesus has chosen us to be his present and presence? I said, “Imagine. Us.” And here we are. Fighting hunger is his name. He is still Coming.
When someone asks me about St. Sebastian, I often say that we are a little parish at the end of the beach, trying to cram 12 months of parish life into six.
Goodness knows there are enough things going on that you can hardly keep track of it all. The Men’s Club will have their Spaghetti Dinner on January 20th. That’s feast of Saint Sebastian, and it is also a wonderful excuse to eat extra spaghetti. They will pick the winner of their JetBlue raffle at the dinner. Get your tickets now because you won’t be able to buy the JetBlue raffle tickets at the dinner. (I hope to go to Aruba.)
The St. Seb Council of Catholic Woman are having their annual fashion show and luncheon on February 18th, another great event in our panoply of ‘fast-lane living.’
March 31st brings us the great Andy Hurst Fish Fry and we have a couple of Martini pancake breakfasts thrown in for good measure.
Notice the food theme running through it all? It may not be long before we have a new kitchen for easier food preparation. Maybe the delay of my little health episode was providential because I think we’ve come up with a great contractor WHO HAS BUILT A KITCHEN FOR HIS PARISH AND THEY ARE STILL ALL FRIENDS THREE YEARS LATER. That’s a recommendation!
Happy New Year, in Jesus,
