From The Bishop

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This is my first Christmas with you as your Bishop and I am so pleased to be able to bring you greetings as we celebrate this holy season.One of the most important Christmas greetings can be found in the Gospel of Saint Luke. It is given by the angel to the shepherds who were watching over their flocks: “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 and He is Christ the Lordâ€�. (Lk2:10) We are told that the shepherds were initially terrified by this announcement; however, this greeting helped to relieve their fear. It was not until they went to the manger and saw Mary, Joseph, and the child Jesus, that the transformation was complete. The shepherds were no longer afraid and they now became messengers of great news as they returned, “glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seenâ€�. (Lk2:20) We live in a beautiful world that has been redeemed by Jesus who was born in Bethlehem so many years ago. By His death and resurrection Jesus has overcome the power of sin and death but not the pain it creates. There are many things around us that can cause us fear and at times we may be tempted to discouragement. At these times we should look to the shepherds as our model as we go to the Lord so that we can see and believe. What will we see? We will see the presence of God shining around us â€" goodness, beauty and truth. This is what I see when I look at our Diocese and I am so grateful for the honour and privilege of being your Bishop. There is so much goodness in this Diocese and it begins with each one of you. The clergy, religious and laity of St. Catharines Diocese are a beacon of light that helps to dispel the darkness and fear that is around us. You help to make Christ present in our community. At Christmas we celebrate this fact as we focus on God's gift to us and the people who truly make a difference in our lives. Gift giving is a significant part of our Christmas tradition. Let us never forget that the greatest gifts are not those wrapped in paper or tinsel. The greatest gifts are those persons, family and friends, who stand with us each day representing Christ who is the light of the world. Thank you for being such a wonderful gift and for being a powerful light of hope for the world. At Christmas and throughout the year I encourage you not to be afraid because the Lord has brought us news of great joy. The Lord is with us and may He continue to bless us with His peace and joy. Wishing you and your families a blessed Christmas I remain, Yours Sincerely in Christ, Most Reverend Gerard P. Bergie, D.D. Bishop of St. Catharines