Dear Friends:

Update on Christmas Eve Masses

In the past, we celebrated Christmas Eve Mass outdoors at 3:00 PM to accommodate over 2,000 attendees. This tradition was good but also presented challenges of a wet/muddy lawn, making it less comfortable for people. Additionally, there was traffic congestion as people searched for a parking space, causing unnecessary stress.

To provide a more comfortable setting, and after consulting the parishioners at all the Masses last weekend, we are offering three early Christmas Eve Masses indoors at both churches:

Christ the King Church at 3:00 PM

St. Stephen Church at 3:15 PM (just a 7- minute drive away).

Christ the King Church at 4:30 PM

Both churches offer ample seating, warmth, and a beautiful sacred space for us to gather for worship. There is plenty of parking at both campuses.

We hope that this adjustment will make your participation at Christmas Eve Mass - even more meaningful and enjoyable, surrounded by loved ones in a comfortable indoor setting.

If you are willing to attend one of the Christmas Eve Masses at St. Stephen, we would be most grateful. This would ease the over-crowdedness that Christ the King Church cannot fully accommodate.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we work to improve our parish experience. May this season bring abundant blessings to you and your family.

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As we approach the fourth and final week of Advent, we light the fourth candle, symbolizing Love. This week, our focus turns to the greatest gift of all—the love of God revealed through Jesus Christ.

In the First Letter of John, we are reminded of the depth of this divine love: "God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." (1 John 4:9-10) This passage captures the heart of God's love—a love so unconditional and profound that it is not dependent on our actions but stems from who God is.

Christmas: The Story of Love Incarnate. The story of Christmas is the story of Love Incarnate. John 3:16 declares: "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." Through the incarnation, God’s love took on human form to bring salvation and hope to a broken world. Consider the image of a parent sacrificing everything for their child—Christ’s coming into the world is the ultimate expression of such sacrificial love. In Jesus, God becomes one of us, taking on our struggles, our pains, and ultimately, our sins, to offer us eternal life.

The Unshakable Love of God. The Apostle Paul assures us of the power and permanence of God’s love in his letter to the Romans: "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love." (Romans 8:38-39) This love calls us into relationship and empowers us to face challenges, knowing that nothing can ever separate us from the love of Christ. In turn, we are invited to embrace this love and share it with others.

Love: A Transformative Power. The fourth candle of Advent shines with the love that radiates from the manger. Paul’s words to the Corinthians highlight the transformative nature of love: "If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal... If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) True love is not confined to sentiment or convenience. It challenges us to love even when it is difficult, extending kindness, compassion, and grace to all, even those who seem unlovable.

As Martin Luther King Jr. once said: "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." Just as a pebble creates ripples in water, our small acts of love can have far-reaching effects. The fourth candle reminds us that our love, ignited by the love of Christ, can shine as a beacon in the darkness. In a world hungry for genuine love, may we be bearers of this divine gift—Jesus Christ, the light of the world.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, let us reflect on the transformative, unstoppable love of God. May this love inspire us to light candles of kindness, compassion, and outreach in our world. Just as the candle of love pierces the darkness, may our hearts be filled with the light of Christ, illuminating the way for others to encounter His saving grace.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas filled with love, hope, and joy. Let us celebrate the gift of Love Incarnate—Emmanuel, God with us. May His love transform our hearts and our world.