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St. Peter's Italian Church:
The December Newsletter

Dear parishioners and friends,

            At Christmas the announcing angel revealed to the fearful and startled shepherds “good news of great joy”: the birth in Bethlehem of a Child who is “Christ the Lord”. The heavenly host responded by bursting into songs of praise, glorifying God in heaven, and announcing God’s peace and favor on earth.

The revelation of this birth this Christmas calls forth from us a joyful rejoicing, which unites our voices with the song of the heavenly host. This birth is not simply what happens to the Divine Son. His taking on our human nature makes us join all God’s creatures to sing a chorus of endless “Glory to God in the highest” with a grateful response.

This response is possible because the Spirit overshadows us at our baptism and the Child Jesus is given birth within us also. Every time we are faithful to our baptismal promises, every time we choose God’s will over our own, new life wells up within us. By becoming more and more aware that dying to self brings new life, we grow ever more capable of singing God’s glory and praise by every action of our lives.

Christmas brings out the best in us: we hear God’s revelation of salvation and we respond with glory and praise. The real challenge is to carry the joy of Jesus’ birth beyond Christmas into our whole year.

Each time we respond to God and conform our own will to His, Christmas happens. Each time we reach out to those in need, Christmas happens. Each time we take time to be present to another, Christmas happens. In countless simple acts of putting others ahead of ourselves, we lift ourselves to join in the song of the heavenly host, that unceasing chorus of praise: “Glory to God in the highest”.

Fr. Esvin Marroquin, our new associate pastor, and I are very grateful for the generous support that assures the continuation and growth of the activities that enrich our Italian and multiethnic parish, including the outreach program: every day 100-150 Homeless are fed with a hot meal: the spirit of Christmas lives on.

With the enclosed calendar we wish you the peace and joy of Christmas. We invite you to celebrate Christmas with us at St. Peter with a warm embrace of gratitude.

Fr. Raniero Alessandrini, c.s., Pastor - Fr. Esvin Marroquin, c.s., Associate

Christmas Masses in Our Church
Christmas Midnight Mass
Monday, December 24; 11:00 pm
Singing of Christmas Carols - Mass begins at Midnight with - Procession and Jesus’ Birth
Christmas Day
Tuesday, December 25
9:30 am (English) and 11:00 am (Italian) No Evening Mass

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