My Dear St. Clare Family, as we come together on this Holy Day, the day of our Savior’s birth I want to take a moment to extend my heartfelt wish to each and every one of you for a very Merry Christmas. 
 
We all enjoy the opportunity to give and receive gifts, such is the spirit of our Christian ethos. It is a way we express gratitude for each other.  However, the true gift, is the one given to us by God.  On that quiet night two thousand yeas ago, in a simple stable with little in it other than the farm animals, Mary with Joseph at her side delivered the Messiah in the little town of Bethlehem. God came to us with the gift of peace, joy, hope and good will. The birth of our Lord gives us reason to rejoice. We do this as we celebrate with family and friends, around the table and Christmas tree.
 
As I celebrate Christmas Mass, I feel blessed beyond words for all that I have received from you - my St. Clare family. My heart is filled with gratitude for each of you and your role within our parish. I am especially grateful to the parish and school staff for their dedication to our community. On this Christmas Day may you and your family continue to have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope and the peace of His love at Christmas and always. Merry Christmas!