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Beloved,

We greet you on behalf of all of us at the blessed Basilica of St. Mary, where we gather to worship and proclaim Christ the Lord is our Savior.

This is the second Christmas season that comes to us with the pandemic and all its restrictions. Our thoughts and hearts are with our families back home and in America during these difficult times. But no pandemic or trouble in the world can cancel the Christmas celebration. If anything, the Christmas season is for hope, for love, and for support. Emmanuel: God is with us!

We say to all of you, especially the children as we recall the message of the angel to the Shepherds, “Do not be afraid. For I bring you tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day a son, in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And His name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

This year is our 49th year of serving you and we look forward, in 2022, to celebrate our Golden Anniversary together. This celebration can only be meaningful if our hearts and minds are set on the Holy Spirit, as the power of the Holy Spirit will keep this community alive for many generations to come.

Come and worship with us on Christmas Eve. Matins begins at 7pm and the Divine Liturgy at 8pm.

On behalf of Fr. Jim and Audrey, the Deacons, the Parish Council, Nancy Ghannam, Chairwoman, the Ladies Society, Saada Matta, President, the Cultural Center Committee, Dr. Radwan Khoury, Chairman and all church organizations, and always Archdeacon Issa Rizkallah and our founding mothers and fathers, we wish you and yours a blessed Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Prayerfully Yours,

Fr. George and Nouhad Shalhoub