My prayer for the diocese this Christmas is that each and everyone of you will know the joy of God’s presence and peace in your hearts. May our love for each other in the family and community be rooted in our willingness to forgive and forget. Our prayers for peace in Ireland and across the world will be far more powerful and sincere if they come from hearts that seek personal peace with God and with our people at home and in the community. We must continue to pray for the fragile peace in our own land – that all parties to the peace process will be humble enough to forgive and generous enough to make whatever concessions are necessary. We must pray daily also for peace in our world of violence and war. My prayer for all of you is, as I said a prayer for peace but also a prayer that you will not allow the power of advertising convince you that the joy of Christmas can be bought with euro. On the contrary consumerism robs parents and children of the joy and peace that only God can give. God’s pathway to our hearts is through repentance and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Happy Christmas. +Christopher Jones Bishop of Elphin December 2004 |