December 30, 2007

Dear friends in life and in ministry  . . .

Christmas at the Defendorf's was a three day affair. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were (for me) devoted to some pretty wonderful liturgical celebrations.

Christmas Eve's 4 p.m. "Family" Mass with pageant went off without a hitch.

• Mary and Joseph made it down the aisle on cue.
• The baby Jesus arrived on schedule.
• No angel wings were stomped upon by over-exhuberant shepherds.
• Then the entire cast, sat "awe-struck" as I delivered my homily.

Well actually - "attentive" might be a more accurate description. I suspect the realization that Santa would be still evaluating naughty or nice behavior might also have had a small impact on their attentiveness. God is good!

The 10:30 p.m. (Midnight) Candlelight Mass with Choir was spectacular in every way. A pre-Mass Concert of contemporary Christmas Carols by our newly re-established choir was nothing short of outstanding. God is very good!

And the Christmas Day Mass, which featured traditional Carols was simple, but very nice. Pat and I were joined by my friend Kenneth Anderson and Father Peter's friend Margild Kaiser, who was visiting from Germany. God is very, very good.

On December 26th, Pat and I hosted a St. Stephen's Day party at our house. Several Southern Tier deacons and deacon candidates and their wives attended. St. Stephen as you may know was not only one of the first deacons, but also the first to be martyred. Much of our time together was spent discussing how we had so far avoided martyrdom, if only by a whisker.

December 27th was family day. Our son Chris, daughter Annie with husband Jason and grandson Jack were joined by youngest daughter Monica who arrived with her boyfriend Nate. God is very, very, very good.

This weekend, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family. Family life can be difficult - especially at Christmas when expectations are set so high. Few families compare to the images confronting us in the barrage of commercials that lead us into this season of joy and giving. My column this weekend and the attached homily address this reality.

My prayer is that, regardless of whether your family's dynamics resemble the Holy Family or the Simpson Family - you will never forget that - Emmanuel . . .God is with you.

Happy New Year!

Deacon Ray

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Bulletin: December 30th, 2007

Homily: The Feast of the Holy Family