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One such
1
f>f
friend
was
my first pas-
tor,
Bishop John
McNamara, the senior auxiliary bishop
Where
of the Archdiocese of
Washington. I
recall
I
smile
how our
will
when
relation-
peace that
ship was like that of the
angels sang
elderly pastor and young:
of that
curate in the movie "Going My Way." He had celebrated nearly sixty years as a priest when I was ordained.
When
he later died, a to
as "having elevated our
"**a
pastor kneeling
ideals of priesthood."
None
Christmas
in front of the
could challenge his leadership
in pastoral ministry. His parishioners
crib.
pouring out his heart in prayer.
He was I
He knelt there in prayer for over an He told God of his love for his
one who truly lived only "to serve others rather than being served." His whole life
people and their
was centered upon Jesus.
entrusted to his prayers. Over forty-
My first
excited as his
young curates
as
in prepar-
ing for the celebration of the Saviour's birth.
He watched
with evident joy as
hour.
we
Yet,
in
Our Lady's
Day, I went to lock the doors of the Church. I had expected the church to be empty at that late hour. Yet, I heard
someone speaking.
It
was
my
elderly
can
still recall
seeing that elderly
Image of the
thoughts that
it
has
its
in today's world.
share of troubles. Warfare
and hate continue to divide the human family.
The litany of this
world's evils
is
frightening: violence, hunger, hopeless-
ness and racial prejudice abound. Even religions
this. It
living in an "infant
swaddling clothes and lying It
takes humility to do
requires that
we
lay aside our
pride and prejudice in order to recognize the Divine Child as the Father's
greatest gift to our world.
You and your loved ones will be with me when I celebrate Midnight Mass and in the days that follow. God grant us the grace? to
understand that peace must
first
filled his heart.
There are many joys
in
manger."
in a
you
this gift this Christmas.
Divine Child
fill
flftk
May the
your soul with his peace
and joy.
And may you generously
share these
whom you meet on Christmas Day and throughout the New Year. gifts
with
all
war against one another!
Bishop William G. Curlin
Hit
believe
be within our hearts if we are to achieve peace in this world. God grant
Infant Christ while revealing the
But
chapel.
Late in the evening on Christmas
I
priest kneeling before the
decorated the church and erected the
manger
many needs they had
three years have passed since that night.
Christmas as a priest can
The Bishop was
wrapped
purposely
I
that it is found when you and I have the humility kneel and adore (as did Bishop
McNamara) God
""
kept quiet in order not to disturb him.
loved him, for they recognized in him
never be forgotten.
first
Christmas night?
brother priest described Bishop
McNamara
we
iind that