At Christmas this year we Christians celebrate in faith and gratitude "the good news of great joy for all the people."  (Luke 2: 10)  At the same time millions of people around the world are still under the cloud of darkness, fear, hatred and the ravages of war spawned anew by the horrific events of 
September 11, 2001.

In his apostolic letter, "The Beginning of the New Millennium" published January 6, 2001, our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, asked, "Is it not the Church's task to reflect the light of Christ in every historical period and to make his face shine also before the generations of the new millennium (paragraph #16)?" He calls us to look ahead, to "put out into the deep (Du in altum)" and to make Jesus Christ "the absolute foundation of all our pastoral activity (#15)."

With prayerful insight, the Holy Father reflects on the paradox of Christ and some of the saints, e.g. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, experiencing simultaneously the agony of the passion or spiritual darkness and the sublime joy of faith, hope and love (#'s 25 - 28).  He says, "Heartened by this experience, the Church today sets out once more on her journey in order to proclaim Christ to the world."  We live in this moment of history and draw new joy and confidence from our celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Saviour and light of the world.  In this context, we are particularly grateful for the pilgrimages of the relics of St. Thérèse and the World Youth Day Cross to many locations in our Archdiocese during the last few months.

In his Apostolic Letter, the Pope calls us to "a new impetus in Christian living - translated into pastoral initiative adapted to the circumstances of each community (#29)."  Our "Vision Quest" is a first step toward discerning the "detailed pastoral plan" referred to in the Letter.  Your participation, your prayers, your sense of mission, your spirituality, your witness to love will enable us together to respond to the challenges of our time and be light to the world.

With sincere gratitude for your love and prayers, your support and collaboration, I wish each one of you a truly happy and grace-filled Christmas.

Yours devotedly in Christ,
 
 

Peter J. Mallon
Archbishop of Regina
 
 

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

SAVE A LIFE! - The Knights of Columbus of Regina is spearheading a Special Blood Donor Clinic on Dec. 26 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Canadian Blood Services on Broad St. & Broadway Ave.  We encourage all Knights, families, friends and the catholic community to participate in this very worthwhile cause.  A sausage and pancake breakfast will be provided and each donor will receive a pair of tickets to a Sask. Roughrider pre-season game.  Please call CBS in advance (352-5663) to book an appointment.  For more information call Don at 545-2955.

CATHOLIC FAMILY SERVICES ANNUAL DINNER
Feb. 15, Delta Regina.  Entertainment: Martin Janovesky, a notable musician and comedian.  Cost: $65/person.  Call Catholic Family Services: 525-0521 for tickets. 

ORDINATION TO THE DIACONATE – Barry Anwender will be ordained to the Diaconate on Saturday, Dec. 29, 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Parish.

NEW YEAR’S DAY RECEPTION – Archbishop Mallon will be celebrating the Eucharist at Holy Rosary Cathedral on January 1, 2002 at 11:00 a.m.  A reception will follow from 12:30 – 2:30  p.m.  Everyone is invited to attend.
 
 

Please keep this bulletin for reference throughout  the Christmas Season.  Our next publication will be the bulletin on Jan. 5/6.

 

Holy Cross CWL Christmas Bake Sale Raffle winners were: 

Shantel Laurans        Bake Tray
Loretta Jelinski          Bowls & Crackers
Lena Proznick           Can of Coffee
Proceeds from this year’s Bake Sale were $647.45.

Membership Fees of $14.00 are now due.

CWL Christmas Party: Great food and lots of fun was had by all those who attended.  Thanks ladies.

There will be no CWL General Meeting in Jan.

CWL Executive Meeting Mon., Jan. 14, 7:30 p.m. at Loretta Jelinski’s home: 613 Douglas Park Cres. 
 

Terri asked her Sunday School class to draw pictures of their favorite Bible stories.  She was puzzled by Kyle’s picture which showed four people on an airplane, so she asked him which story it was meant to represent. “The flight to Egypt,” said Kyle. “I see . . . And that must be Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus,” Ms. Terri said.  “But who’s the fourth person?” “Oh, that’s Pontius – the Pilot.”