This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. How appropriate it is that we celebrate this feast in the Octave of Christmas when so many of us gather with family to celebrate these special days. We are reminded that all families are called to holiness and to be places where God can live and dwell. In his encyclical “Familarias Consortio”, “The role of the family in the world”, Pope John Paul II stated that “each family is a Domestic Church”. Pope John Paul challenges us to make the Lord Jesus as real in our family lives as He is in our tabernacles in church. This is a great challenge to all of us. In the love of family life, our God makes His presence felt. May we all realize the beauty of family life and continue to recognize that our Lord is present in our daily family life. This past Friday I had some surgery on my ankle in Syracuse. While I am currently recovering from the surgery, the doctor tells me that I need to stay off my ankle for about a month. I would like to thank Msgr. Meagher for his generous offer to assist our parish during my absence. I would also like to thank Fr. Thomas Macauley and Fr. Art Krawczenko for their assistance during this time. Please keep me and my recovery in your prayers. Merry Christmas! Father Jim