The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see— I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those of goodwill.
It’s encouraging to see that it’s possible to reach beyond our dedicated parish community and attract even more people from the surrounding area to come and celebrate Christmas at St Canice’s. The attendance at all four Masses over Christmas exceeded previous years.
We pray that we might refine our social media message to appeal to even more people to come to St Canice’s at times other than Christmas and Easter.
Through the efforts of a couple of enthusiastic new parishioners, the choir was expanded and the carol singing was so uplifting. The energy transcended into the whole congregation who joined in with full voice.
As is our practice of some years, there’s no Christmas collection for St Canice’s. Instead, we ask people that they might consider giving a gift donation for the children and families of our sister parish in East Timor.
We were so thrilled when a 4-year old girl placed a very full piggy bank in the basket for our Christmas leaving collection for OUR SISTER PARISH at the Railaco Jesuit Mission!
In a Christmas letter of thanks for our ongoing support, Fr Bong went on to say,
“Here in Railaco, we try to spread love through our works of charity.
And right now, we’re doing it with YOUR help, the people of St Canice’s.
YOU are with us in MISSION.”