DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSI, CAPE & ISLANDS
Vol. 26, No. 50
Fall River, Mass., Friday, December 24, 1982 20c, $6 Per Year
BishopCr'onin's·
Message ,
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December, 1982 Dearly beloved in Christ, Once again, we celebrate the tender and beautiful Feast of Christmas. it is an occasion to be mindful of God's overwhelming love for us. In Bethlehem, David's City, Mary and Joseph lodged, for there was no room for them in the inn. There Mary the Virgin beT\: the Savior of the world and placed Him in a manger. There is a profound lesson for .us in the Christmas story. The Lord was born in stark poverty, in the crude shelter used by the beasts of the field, for there was no room for the Holy Family in the homes and house holds of Bethlehem, no place in the crowded inns where other travelers rested. Sometimes the replicas of the stable where shepherds gathered to honor the newborn Prince of Peace are assembled with great artistry, so that the harsh realities of His humble birth are muted. The truth is that the circumstances were those of bitter poverty. The Son of God seeks admission to our hearts and souls, dear friends. Certainly, we like to imagine that our response would be radically differ ent from that of the citizens of Bethlehem on that first Christmas. I truly hope there is no harsh rejection. I hope there is room for the Lord and a warm welcome. For the Son of God continues to bring warmth and bright ness and sweet blessings to every cold, dark and bitter part of the world.
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ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL, FALL RIVER, SEEN THROUGH CITY BELL TOWER
In joyful celebration of the birth of 'the Savior, the angelic chorus filled the heavens with glorious song. God's love was made manifest! My prayerful good wish, dear friends, is that we echo the joy of the . angels on this Christmas. Like shepherds and wise men of old, may we offer to the Savior the homage of our Faith. The beautiful story of the Nativity of Jesus is but a prelude to the arrival of the Lord in our own hearts and souls. As we welcome Jesus, may we enjoy the fullness of His love and the warmth and brightness of His peace.
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky . . .
A truly blessed Christmas to one and all!
Ring out old shapes of foul disease, Ring out the narrowing lust of gold!; Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace!
Devotedly yours in Christ,
Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier· hand! Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be!
Bishop of Fall River
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-Alfred, Lord Tennyson