PrayingAndSharingEach year the presiding bishop, sends the CACINA community a Christmas letter.  Please see this year's letter from Bishop Santore below or click here to see the PDF:

 

November 29, 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters;

As we journey through Advent preparing for the joyous feast of Christmas, we continue to be plagued with the coronavirus, the reality of death, financial strains, and health issues. We are also pressured by all the normal things that occur during this season, the shopping issues, eating issues, sleeping issues, and all the engagement that goes with each of these and more. In the midst of these realities we are called to keep our lamps trimmed and burning because Christ is near.

Christ is here in our midst: among the homeless, the jobless, the frightened, and the hungry.  He sits, often in quiet solidarity. Christ is here in our midst: among us who have a home, are reasonably comfortable, well-fed, frightened, and those who hunger for genuine love. There is no dividing wall but the wall of fear among us as human beings.

Christmas is our opportunity to hear and respond to the timeless angelic words of comfort, “Do not be afraid!”  I hope we will join Christ where he is, with the lonely, regardless of how comfortable or uncomfortable they are this Christmas.  Let us join him where he is and claim our common humanity with those who are deprived of it whether they are near or far.  Let us, with passion, reach out to those affected by the virus and be available as conduits of Christ’s light to help dispel the darkness within and around us this Christmas.

I pray that each and everyone of you will experience the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child. Almighty God, Father, Son and the Holy Spirt bless you now and forever. Have a Holy and Happy Christmas.

Sincerely yours,

Your Brother in Christ

+Anthony Santore

Presiding Bishop CACINA