Christmas wishes and prayers from Fr. Clement
To one and all, I wish you God’s Christmas Blessings at this special time of year. Mindful of your different situations and intentions,
I approach the altar of God to pray for you and your family and friends.
In my culture, babies are usually born at home. I recall hearing loud sounds of ululations and beating of drums to joyously announce the birth of a baby in the village. Occasionally two or more babies were born around the same time. Obviously, the sounds of celebration were magnified in the village. At times, this joy was announced at the darkest hour of the night. People would pause for a while to listen and enjoy the celebration. I do miss this culture of my earlier life.
We should all be attentive to the arrival and presence of a child. With the birth of the baby Jesus, God is gently and convincingly inviting all of us to pause for a while and realise that the source of our true happiness should and is coming from Christ the Lord. This Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, during the reign of Herod the Great, Jesus the Prince of Peace who preached the Gospel of forgiveness and reconciliation, is inviting you to celebrate his birth, to love him and pray with him in the midst of his people who are gathered in prayer.
The Virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and he will be called
Emmanuel, a name which means God-is-with-us (Matthew 1:23).
It is comforting and reassuring to know that God has chosen to be with
us, everyone without exclusion, regardless of who we are and our position in life. With the birth of Jesus, God is knocking at the heart and the home of everyone, hoping to be welcomed and loved.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks
and appreciation to one and all in respect of your support and help, as I celebrate my third Christmas with you in this parish. I am deeply touched by your faith and commitment to support our parish. I have seen your generous volunteering and welcoming spirit touching so very many and I convey my heartfelt thanks and appreciation.
I offer my humble prayers for your intentions, may you all experience
a peaceful, happy Christmas and receive God’s blessings for a joyous \
new year in 2026.
Please remember me and my family in your prayers.
Your Brother in Christ,
Fr. Clement Orang’o
St Theresa’s Catholic Church High Lane, Stansted Mountfitchet, CM24 8LQ
Please visit our parish website for further information: www.sttheresastansted.org
