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December 23, 2005        

My Dear Brothers and Sisters In Christ,

"Glory to God in the Highest...for today is born for us a savior, Jesus Christ the Lord...And He shall be called Immanuel, that is, God-with-us...Lord of Lords; King of Kings; Wonder-Counselor; Mighty God; Prince of Peace."

My Dear Friends at St. Paul, your family members, visitors, first-timers, and first-timers in a long time - I rejoice and celebrate with you this glorious night and day when God's glory shone on earth in the presence of that little babe in Bethlehem. How truly blessed we are that our God has become man and dwelt among us, taking upon Himself all our sin and troubles.

I write this to you at the end of a long and frustrating week. Monday I was admitted to the hospital with fungul pneumonia and a bacteria in my blood. From there it just seemed that it was one thing after another - every day, sometimes every hour - brought a new concern or setback. But a sunrise lifted be up. My room in the hospital looks out over the remains of a parking garage they're tearing down. Beyond that is a high-rise (low cost) apartment building; and next to that is the spire of some church. The morning after I was admitted I awoke to a perfect sunrise between the garage, the high-rise, and the church. Each morning after brought the same sight. What a joy! Just as that sunrise revealed itself amidst the broken, the poor, and suffering of this world so would The Son rise day after day for me in the midst of my own brokeness and suffering. God is so good...all the time!

Until I return I think about you constantly, trusting and relying on your prayers and good thoughts. Know that you are in my daily prayers. I'm going to try to celebrate Mass with my sisters on Christmas Eve and I'll also remember you there. Take care of each other and rejoice : God is with us!

Peace
Fr. Rick