CHRISTMAS MESSAGE from
SISTER MARY LUCY ASTUTO

Dear readers,

      Time fleets and no man can stop its flight.

      It’s hard to believe it is Christmas already!

      One thing I do believe is that with all of my heart, I wish you and yours a holy and grace-filled Christmas Season and New Year!

      I have a little holy card which reads: “TRUST ME! I HAVE EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL. (signed) Jesus.”

      The little Baby Jesus does have the whole world in His little Hands. He looks at you lovingly, raises His little arms to you in hopes you will hold Him close to your heart. You would be the better for it, for we cannot desire the God-head, we cannot reach for Him, we cannot hold Him close without His blessing us beyond our understanding on this earth.

      Give Jesus your heart this Christmas Day, especially when you receive Him in Holy Communion. It’s the present He wants from you, and nothing would please Him more. Receive Him with a pure heart and one that desires to belong to Him above all else.

      Let’s forget the problems of the world for the next few days and consider that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, the Beginning and End, the answer to EVERYTHING.

      You are in my heart and prayers. And as share these words from on a Christmas card with you:

MAY THIS HOLY, SILENT NIGHT
FILL YOUR HEART WITH LOVE AND LIGHT...
AND MAY THE NEW YEAR FILL EACH DAY
WITH THE KNOWLEDGE
THAT GOD’S JUST A PRAYER AWAY.

      I look forward to 1999 and hope, that by "GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER" each Friday, somehow, someway, by God's Grace, I'll be able to touch your heart and, in some small way, help you on your journey toward everlasting Peace! Merry Christmas,everyone. God bless you. Peace!

Sister Mary Lucy Astuto