Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Rejoice! The weeks of Advent waiting are over, and Christ is born!
Especially during this Year of Faith, we rejoice in our Savior’s birth—remembering the great gift of faith He has given us through the mystery of His incarnation and the saving power of His death and resurrection.
For many years, the people of our Archdiocese have been asked to make a special gift on Christmas Day to support our seminarians at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. The men of our seminary, who have responded to Christ’s call to follow Him, are truly a gift to the Church and to our Archdiocese. It is these men who will bring the faith given to us by Christ 2000 years ago to future generations here in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
During this Year of Faith, I ask you, once again, to pray for vocations and for all our priests and seminarians. I also ask you to be generous in your donation to the Christmas Day collection which helps pay the day-to-day expenses and maintenance of our Seminary.
Please be assured of my prayers for you during this most blessed season of Christmas. May the Lord of life come into your hearts and homes in a special way during this holy time of year.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson
Archbishop of St. Louis
Allow me to add my own wishes of a blessed and holy Christmas time for you and your families. These are wonderful days, days when we celebrate not just the gift of family and friends, but the gift of gifts – our Saving Lord incarnate of the Virgin for our salvation. A friend of mine sends a yearly advent card with a little reflection. It bears repeating here.
There is a whisper in the darkness,
Hope on the horizon,
with future and past about to intersect.
All is possible, passion is stirring,
dawn is breaking.
Now, only to wait and catch our breath,
not to give up,
while the God of Advent tames the wilderness
and rushes into our awaiting hearts!
Blessed Advent and Merry Christmas, one and all…