FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK……


DECEMBER 28, 2003

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

    During the last Presidential Election Campaign, we heard lots of politicians use the    buzz words "family values" when talking about their platforms.  It seemed as if every politician was rushing to line up on this side of the political fence. 

    What is it that makes these political "buzz words" so important in our present day American society?  I believe the reason for this is the fact that many people see the traditional Judeo Christian concept of "family" as under attack from many quarters.  Parents fear that their right to govern their children is slowly and steadily being taken away from them by the judicial system in its attempt to "protect children's rights."  Then there are the economic pressures that force parents to be out of the home working at several different jobs just in order to make ends meet.  How many of us have heard about the "latch key" generation of kids who come home from school to an empty house.  The movie "Home Alone" and its sequel are more of a realistic picture of what is actually going on in homes across this land than mere fiction or fantasy from Hollywood.

    In the midst of all this comes our traditional Christmas celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family.  Many pastors like myself find it difficult to put a lot of emphasis on this traditional feastday for fear of offending or hurting those who are in single parent situations or couples who are not able to have children as well as single people living alone.  Yet, when we study the Holy Scriptures, we see that God's plan for the world includes the family as a holy & necessary institution.  Today's Gospel (Luke 2: 41-52) recounts an incident in the Holy Family's life with which most parents can readily identify --- a lost child.  Typically, Jesus is almost a teen-ager (twelve years of age) when he becomes separated from his foster parents.  Mary & Joseph's frantic search ends happily when they find Him in the temple.  Luke ends this passage by saying:  "He (Jesus) went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them, and His mother kept all these things in her heart.  And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor, before God and man." (Luke 2:51-51)  I don't believe it was just mere coincidence that Jesus spent thirty of His thirty of His thirty-three years at home in Nazareth.  His upbringing at home was a necessary basis for the accomplishment of His mission in our world.

    Let us then re-affirm our commitment to bolstering the family unit in any way we can this coming year --- especially through prayer & family devotions at home.  Father Patrick Peyton of the Family Rosary Crusade many years ago coined a slogan that remains true today as it was back then:  "THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER."
                                                                     Sincerely yours in Christ,

                                                                     Fr. Raymond J. Tintle, OFM
                                                                     Pastor