Fr. Kevin Dillon is the Pastor of St. Boniface Martyr Parish, Sea Cliff, Long Island, NY.
Christmas Day was just two weeks ago, and now with the Solemnity of the Epiphany celebrated this weekend and The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord tomorrow the Church brings this season of joy and gladness to a close. Christmas requires much preparation and attention, especially with purchasing gifts, cooking and baking many of our favorite foods and decorating our homes for these special days. It is probably fair to say that most people are breathing a sigh of relief about getting back to our ordinary routines.
Christmas here at St. Boniface went well. We welcomed thousands of people to our Church for the six Christmas Masses that were celebrated here, and our Church was full for all Masses, in fact, the 4:00 PM Christmas Vigil had record crowds with over 1200 in attendance at that Mass alone.
Preparations for the big day began weeks in advance. Thanks to the graciousness and generosity of many hard working and dedicated parishioners our Church and its grounds looked splendid for the Christmas Season. Many visitors remarked at how beautiful the Church and grounds looked and how faith filled and welcoming our parishioners are! Priests come and go in parishes, but it is the parishioners who make a faith community so vibrant and alive and St. Boniface, Martyr is a prime example of such a community!
Know I appreciate and value all you are and all you do for St. Boniface. A special THANK YOU to all who were a part of making Christmas so special, especially the Pastoral Staff,
Maintenance Staff, lectors, altar servers, Extraordinary Ministers, musicians, cantors, ushers, collection counters and Altar Guild and many other volunteers who contributed to making Christmas so beautiful. Thanks also to you, the parishioners, for your generous financial support, not only at Christmas but the whole year long! Equally, I am grateful for how joyfully and freely you share your time and talent with the parish during the course of the year. Father Azubuike and I are also very appreciative for the gifts, cards, and homemade candies and cookies that you left at the rectory; we are grateful for your generosity and kindness!
On behalf of Father Azubuike and the Pastoral Staff, a Happy and Holy New Year to you and your families and May God continue the good work He has begun in you!
On another note, congratulations to Loretta Zanier, the recipient of the 2016 St. Agnes Medal, awarded by the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Loretta has coordinated the Baptism program here for many years and works tirelessly and enthusiastically in welcoming parents who are expecting a child and prepares them for the sacrament of Baptism. Congratulations, and thank you, Loretta!
– Fr. Kevin
Fr. Kevin Dillon’s letter appears online here weekly and in the St. Boniface Parish Bulletin
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