As we prepare to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord this Christmas Day, for the second time during this ongoing Covid Pandemic, I ask that we expand our Christian Trust in the Lord and Hope in one another. Today we have in Connecticut the availability of effective vaccines to keep us safe. We give thanks to God for the gifts of His Heavenly Wisdom given to our researchers and medical professionals who worked so hard to develop the vaccines and the other medicines to treat the Covid virus as well as the medical and emergency responders who have cared for us.

In addition to these blessings, we have the ability to protect ourselves by following CDC protocols in the parish (washing of hands of Eucharistic Ministers at Holy Communion, taking the Body of Christ in the hand, and in offering human patience in the Communion line; as well as the individual wearing of masks when it is deemed appropriate by each of us without concern of ridicule or questioning by the other). These are all blessings in these “unusual” times.

As we employ these protocols, we also remember that we have Trust in the Lord. Counting on His Providential Care to keep us safe and respectful of the other, while in our Christian faith always seek ing the excellence of others.

As we enter the fourth week of Advent and the coming Christmastime, may God protect us, bestow His Grace upon us, and keep us together in faith as we worship Him the Holy Season.