Letter from the Pastor
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January 10, 2021
From the Desk of Father Raaser
With today’s feast, Christmas Season 2020 has concluded. When one reflects on the Christmas Season, one is struck with the unfathomable humility of God. He took on human flesh and became one of His own creatures; He submitted to human parents, and their authority, human beings and their laws. In His human nature He had to learn to do human “things.”
And on this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, once again God lays aside His perfection and dignity and bows His head in the waters of the Jordan River. He lined up with sinners to receive a baptism that He did not need. Why? Because our God wants to be one with us, He wants to experience all aspects of humanity. He knew the value of being an example to us, of showing us how to live. What we had or will experience, God in Christ did it first.
God comes to us in many ways, but most intensely through the Sacraments. And the doorway to the Sacred, the doorway to the Divine Life is the first Sacrament we receive: Baptism. Our Lord showed us that Baptism is necessary for salvation, it is not just a nice or cultural thing to do.
As we say good-bye to this year’s Christmas Season, we know that it was very different, but the good things of Christmas always remain the same: God-with-us, Emmanuel, prayerful, peaceful, with family and friends.
I would like to thank you, the parishioners of St. Margaret. Thank you for your generous contribution to the Christmas Collections: Parish, Flowers and Music. Thank you for your understanding about the limited capacity of the Church.
On behalf of Fr. Clarke, I would like to thank all who gave us Christmas Mass cards, prayerful remembrances, gifts and goodies. There are some very talented bakers and wine connoisseurs in this parish!
A deep sense of gratitude to our ushers, lectors, and to Mark and the visiting musicians, who added so much to our Christmas Masses.
Thank you to all who helped decorate the Church, as always our Church looks so beautiful and tasteful.
May God bless you and your family in this New Year, may we grow together in holiness and as a family with bonds of genuine affection and true Christian concern.
The Wearing of the Masks, Please
As you have been reading or hearing from the News, the Coronavirus is surging and the number of people infected and/or hospitalized is greatly increasing. Now there is a new stain, which the experts tell us is 70% more contagious. So, please be careful and do what the experts ask us to do, wash your hands often, keep away from people (at least 6 feet), and wear masks that cover the nose and mouth, I ask that especially in Church. Fr. Clarke and I try to complete Mass within 45-55 minutes on Sundays, 25 minutes on a weekday. It is not that long for a person to wear a mask over the nose and mouth to keep your droplets to yourself.
I don’t like wearing a mask either, but it’s not about me, or my wants or my desires, rather it is about the other people. That’s the Christian attitude to have. So be careful and again a reminder: if you are not comfortable coming to Church stay home and watch the Mass virtually, or come to a weekday Mass when there are less people.
The Archbishop of New York has suspended the obligation to attend Mass. And please pray for those affected by the coroner virus; it seems by now we all know someone or their family. And pray for those who take care of the sick. Soon enough it will be over just sacrifice a little bit more.
Remember: Love makes sacrifice easy!
