The Christmas Season was brought to a close quietly Sunday night, after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.  I will be honest it was a bitter-sweet season for me.
Don't get me wrong, Christmas was spectacular!
The Friday before Christmas our decorations arrived from the market and many of the "Junior Staff" under Stephanie's guidance came to put up the Christmas Tree in our Dinning Room.   It was a great deal.  Fr. Auggie (the chaplain from Creedmore who lives with me) and I bought them pizza-Gabby's, of course- and they decorated a gorgeous Christmas Tree.  As they were working together, and their disposition, I was so proud of these young people and the fact that they were part of the Incarnation Staff.
Then on night of the f
Fourth Sunday of Advent, the church was transformed by the members of the Liturgy Committee and or maintenance and sacristy staff.  In three hours the church moved from Advent to Christmas.  I know the flowers were a good crop this year but the efforts and team work of all present made our church so beautiful.  It definitely takes away any fears I might have about the decorations for Holy Week while I am away on sabbatical.
Christmas got off to an unexpected start as I found myself cooking for nearby priests.  Father Kuroly celebrated the Spanish Mass Christmas Eve and was to preach at the Midnight Mass so I invited him for Chinese Take-out.  Then he told me another pastor was alone for Christmas Eve and I heard of another so I ended up cooking sausages and pasta for the lot of them.  It was a great celebration of priesthood.  Dinner began at 9PM and was done by 11:15 so everyone could return for Midnight Mass.