A Christmas Message - Sr. Maria Dinnendahl SHC

Dear Old Cornelians, 

“In the manger of rejection and discomfort, God makes himself present. He comes there because there we see the problem of our humanity: the indifference produced by the greedy rush to possess and consume. There, in that manger Christ is born, and there we discover his closeness to us. He comes there. To a feeding trough, in order to become our food. God is no father who devours his children, but the Father who, in Jesus makes us his children and feeds us with his tender love. He comes to touch our hearts and to tell us that love alone is the power that changes the course of history. He does not remain distant and mighty, but draws to us in humility; leaving his throne in heaven, he lets himself be laid in a manger…….Do we visit him where he is to be found, namely in the poor mangers of our world? For that is where he is present. We are called to be a Church that worships a Jesus who is poor and that serves him in the poor …….Brothers and sisters, may we not let this Christmas pass without doing something good. Since it is his celebration, his birthday, let us give him the gifts he finds pleasing! At Christmas, God is concrete: in his name let us help a little hope to be born anew in those who feel hopeless!

Jesus, we behold you lying in the manger. We see you as close, ever at our side: thank you Lord! We see you as poor, in order to teach us that true wealth does not reside in things but in persons, and above all in the poor: forgive us if we have failed to acknowledge and serve you in them. We see you as concrete, because your love for us in palpable. Jesus, help us to give flesh and life to our faith. Amen.

From Pope Francis’ Christmas Sermon 2022

Keeping this in our hearts and minds:

“I hope you are having

A VERY JOYFUL SEASON

and that these

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

come in time to wish you all the graces

and blessings that you most need and desire.”

From a letter of Cornelia Connelly,

Christmas 1877