Christmas Message from St. Nicholas Romanian Catholic Church – 2003
Saint Nicholas Romanian Catholic Church
Byzantine Rite
4309 Olcott Avenue
East Chicago, Indiana 46312
All things are filled with joy today:
Christ is born of the virgin!
Dear Parishioners:
The birth of a baby brings great joy to any family. Parents rejoice. Grandparents are proud. Siblings accept a new brother or sister into their midst. Aunts and uncles share the joy as well. Neighbors bring food or offer help in babysitting the older children, while the new mother is still in the hospital. The parish community accepts a new member through the Mysteries of Baptism, Chrismation and Communion.
In the birth of Our Savior, however, all things were filled with joy! Every creature made by Him offered Him thanks: The angels offered a hymn; the heavens–a star; the wise men–gifts; the shepherds–their wonder; the earth–its cave; the wilderness– the manger; and we humans offered Him a virgin Mother! (Sticheron-Christmas Vespers)
As we annually commemorate this wondrous Birth, we, like all those creatures who greeted him in days of old, ought to give him our best gifts-our faith, our love, our gratitude and our unswerving allegiance. The Birth we celebrate offers us hope of salvation and an assurance that the evil seemingly ruling in our world is ultimately conquered by the Babe of Bethlehem, who would be sacrificial Lamb of Calvary and the triumphant Victor-Lion, who would arise from the dead.
Celebrate this feast, dear friends, in joy and happiness. Know that God became one of us and can sympathize with our every need and concern. Know in the depths of your souls that God is with us in good days and bad, and most of all when we are weakest, He shares His divine strength and supernatural power to overcome all the snares of the Evil One.
The parish staff and I wish you a blessed and joyful Christmas and a happy and healthy 2004. Please remember the financial needs of your parish in your Christmas generosity.
May the Lord bless and keep you and yours, and may our gift to Him–His virgin Mother Mary-overshadow you with her protecting veil.
Yours in His love,
(V. Rev.) Archpriest Charles A. Mezzomo
Pastor
CHRISTMAS AND THEOPHANY SCHEDULE
2003-2004
Sunday, 21 December: SUNDAY OF THE GENEOLOGY OF CHRIST
9:30am Divine Liturgy [Confession before Liturgy]
Wednesday, 24 December: PARAMONY OF CHRISTMAS
9:00am Vesper Liturgy of St. Basil
Today is a day of strict fasting.
Thursday, 25 December: CHRISTMAS DAY
10:00am Divine Liturgy
Today is a Holy Day of Obligation.
Friday, 26 December: 2ND DAY OF CHRISTMAS
9:00am Divine Liturgy
Saturday, 27 December: 3RD DAY OF CHRISTMAS
10:00am Divine Liturgy
Thursday, 1 January: NEW YEAR’S DAY
10:00am Divine Liturgy
Monday, 5 January:PARAMONY OF THEOPHANY
9:00am Vesper Liturgy of St. Basil
Today is a day of strict fasting.
Tuesday, 6 January: THE THEOPHANY OF OUR LORD
9:00am Divine Liturgy and Great Sanctification of Water
Today is a Holy Day of Obligation.
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