Christmas Message - 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
To say that 2020 has not been a year “upon which I will look back with undiluted pleasure” would be an understatement. Who would have thought at the beginning of Lent, that we would not be celebrating Easter publicly; that we would have a three month lockdown; that our churches would be operating at around a third of their capacity for the rest of the year; and that we would be facing another lockdown at Christmas? Certainly not me!
Yet in the midst of all the bad news of this past year, I have been privileged to see the Good News in action in countless ways, both big and small. Here at the Basilica, even during the lockdown, meals were being prepared for the homeless, and many of our brothers and sisters from downtown were still able to find some solace from the Church. A very dedicated group of volunteers helped support me to maintain contain with you all through social media, especially by the weekly posting of Holy Mass.
Once we were able to open, I was truly inspired to see how people came together to make public worship possible again. A large team of people gathered to scrub, disinfect, and clean the Basilica in preparation for opening, and an equally dedicated, if somewhat smaller team, works hard every day, especially on Sundays, to sanitize the Church after each Mass. Cantors, Lectors, and Extraordinary Ministers have stepped forward to offer their services on a regular basis, and our Ushers, augmented by some faithful Volunteers, have had to learn how to be Ministers of Hospitality, Health and Wellness Monitors, Guides and Guards all at the same time. At the beginning of Advent some members of our choir, and some brilliant musicians (all socially distanced) prepared and broadcasted our (virtual) Service of Lessons and Carols, which has now brought some much needed joy to over 500 people – we even received “Thank You’s” from as far afield as Nova Scotia and Texas.
Additionally, many of you have stopped by the new office to drop off your donations, even if you’re unable to make it to Mass due to the pandemic. Thank You Very Much! Your generosity is both needed and appreciated. As you can well imagine, most of our expenses don’t stop even if we’re closed, especially the highest insurance bill in the Diocese. As we face the possibility of another lockdown, I ask you to consider dropping off your Christmas Offering, and any other donations that you may be able to give. When we’re able to fully open again we don’t want to be behind the financial eight ball.
Dear Friends, as we approach this Christmas 2020 many of us have mixed emotions. Some of us may be alone this Christmas, and we are all facing a degree of uncertainty. Our Holy Father Pope Francis has recently reminded all of us that the very first Christmas was quite similar. Far from the quiet, silent, pastoral scene that is so often depicted, the very first Christmas was marked by poverty, hardship and even exile. Mary and Joseph were forced away from their home to pay an unjust tax, they had to bring the Son of God into this world in a stable, and then had to flee their homeland because Herod sought to kill their baby. Despite all of this, however, the Love of God entered our world in the Person of Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word of God made flesh. That is as true in 2020 as it was in Judea 2000 years ago. No pandemic, no lockdown, no restrictions, no political turmoil, no force in this world can keep the light of God’s Love from entering our world through Jesus Christ. As St. John writes “the Light shone in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it”. This is truly the central message of Christmas, and Pope Francis encourages all of us to focus on the true meaning of Christmas with greater fervour during this time of pandemic.
I would like to leave you with these beautiful words from St. Paul, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8: 38-39)
Brothers and Sisters on behalf of His Excellency, Bishop Ustrzycki, Fr. Bill Foote, Seminarian Luis Inacio, and all of the Parish Team, I would like to wish you and your loved ones a very Blessed Christmas, and I hope and pray that we are all together again in the new year.
I remain yours in Christ,
Fr. Ian Duffy, Rector,
Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate