God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlefolk and Children!

At the time for announcements at our Christmas Eve Masses, I mentioned that wherever folks were going that evening or the next day, there would likely be someone who, as guests began to depart, would jump up and say, "Oh, let's get a picture! Only God knows when we'll all be together again!"

At that point I pulled out my little Pentax and said, "So, let's get a picture! Only God knows when we'll all be together again!" As I took pictures of our Christmas worshippers, I reminded them, as I always do at Christmas and Easter: "Our parish is so much greater for your presence and so much less in your absence. We miss you and we know that we need you. And we're bold enough to believe that you need us, too. If you found with us tonight a time of prayer, of peace, of communion with the Lord and his people - please come back again, soon!"

I also told the folks I'd post their pictures on my refrigerator - and on my blog. Here's a sampling! (Local folks might want to click on the images for a larger version!)

Our Children's Choir and Advent Wreath


Some of our most faithful in our assisted-seating section


Some great smiles here!


Ministers of the Eucharist in the first pew


Three servers serving, two lectors reading and a cantor in a pear tree!


Good Christian folk, Rejoice!