Superintendent of Holy Spirit Catholic School Division

Tag: Christmas

Christmas Message 2021

The special Christmas season is upon us. As part of our larger Catholic community, we join together to prepare for the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ throughout Advent and then we celebrate the blessing of His love through the miracle of Christmas.

Although this is a most joyous season, Christmas can be a difficult time of year for some individuals and families in our greater community. It is important to connect with those who may be struggling – lending a helping hand or being a supportive friend to those who may be in need is a very thoughtful gesture. In spite of the ongoing global pandemic, our students, staff and families have been unbelievably generous. Throughout Advent, we have witnessed so many touching and thoughtful examples of our school communities reaching out to those less fortunate, both here at home and globally.

This year, our school communities are attending to the third and final year of our Three Year Faith Plan, under the theme: Together on the Journey.  Specifically in December we are focusing on the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.  There are many natural and appropriate connections between this theme and the season of Advent.  In our schools, our students have learned about Mary and her role in the history of salvation.  We’ve learned of the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the journey of the shepherds to gaze upon the newborn Christ child and the journey of the wise men who offered their gifts.  

As we all journey together this busy Christmas season, I hope and pray that you take time to pause and reflect upon the wonderful gifts of faith, hope and love that Jesus bestowed upon the world, so many years ago in Bethlehem. On behalf of the entire division, I wish you a joyous, restful and Christmas season and look forward to beginning anew in January.

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God bless you and Merry Christmas

Christmas Message 2020 – Joy to the World

Joy to the World!  The Lord is come; let earth receive her King.

Many of us have heard and perhaps have sung this song in church, while driving to work or while alone on an evening walk – Joy to the World!

Although we may not feel an over abundance of joy this season, in light of the pandemic and its related devastation, we anticipate the birth of Jesus, our Christ, and as such, we bear joy to our community.  Let us shine His light into our land.   Joy to the world!  

Although very difficult at times, proclaiming joy is good and essential work – especially now. Though we are saddened by what is lost in our lives, we have our families, and our communities – Joy to the world!

While we strive to bring happiness to those whose lives are filled with hurt, anger and confusion – Joy to the world!

While this is a strange year, God challenges us to be steadfast in our work.  As noted in our 3-Year Faith Plan, we are called to be intentional disciples of Jesus.  We will prepare room in our heart for Him: 

  • By doing His will here on Earth,
  • By caring for the needy,
  • By helping our neighbors,
  • By loving one another

Prepare Him room.  Sing joyfully to the world.   

In St. Luke’s Gospel (Luke 2:7), we learn of the first Christmas, “She [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  Imagine, in the simplest of beds, in the dark of the night, in a far away place, lies the One for whom no room was made.  Yet strangely, here lies the One King who later dies for us so that we can have eternal life.

In your hearts, in your homes, in your lives, prepare him room.  God bless you; and may God hold us all in those almighty hands of love.  Joy to the world! The Lord is come. 

On behalf of everyone at Holy Spirit Catholic Schools, I wish everyone a blessed and Holy Christmas Season. 

Christmas Blessing 2020 (Video)

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