Blog

With this letter, I want to do something a bit different and hopefully get to know us as a parish staff a little better. As you probably have discerned by now, none of us three priests grew up in this diocese. So, how did we spend Christmas growing up; what were some customs for us? For me, growing up in Northern Illinois, we ALWAYS spent Christmas Eve with my mom’s parents. Every year, about half way through dinner, my mom’s youngest brother made his annual trip to the laundry room where us cousins were sitting and yelled at us for being too loud. On Christmas afternoon, we were at my dad’s parents for Christmas dinner which always, started at 5pm. Before we all left the house around 8:30pm, we had the huddle around the kitchenette table discussing what day and time we would meet next year for Christmas. We all knew it would be 5pm on Christmas Night for dinner.

In Uganda, Fr Martin shares what Christmas is for his family: In my family, Christmas has always been a family day. We all get together, pray together, share a meal, (Matooke — steamed green bananas–, rice, beans, chicken, pork, goat or chicken meat) have Christmas music in the background, and have important discourse as children in the presence of our parents. Each one makes some firm resolve, for the things to do in the coming year, and an overview of the things achieved in that concluding year, and our parents give each and every one a blessing.

Father Greivin says in Costa Rica it is very important to have the nativity scene set up on Christmas Eve, more important than the tree; and to have family, good food and hugs. Foods that are essential for Christmas include: Pork tamales; Chicken and rice; Pork or chicken leg and Homemade bread, eggnog, and coffee. Many families attend midnight mass and then go home and eat.

Deacon Amparo from Mexico says food and family is so important during the Christmas season; teaching the little ones and we ourselves learn each year more about the coming of Christ and what that really means for us; Foods that are essential at Christmas include: pozole, tamales, birria, mole, carnitas, like a buffet. You eat what you like, what you crave, and share it with your loved ones. What a blessing!
Rosalba sacramental records secretary, also from Mexico says Christmas in Mexico is very important because at midnight, the baby Jesus is welcomed and placed in the manger. All the children take turns holding him and giving him a kiss on the cheek. We wrap him in a blanket and rock him to sleep. Then the children come by, give him a kiss, and receive a piece of candy. This is so they understand the importance of that day. All the families gather together joyfully because they are celebrating the Baby Jesus, who is the reason for that night. We don’t exchange gifts that night because the night belongs to him, and only the children receive a small piece of candy, and that’s all. Sometimes piñatas are broken so the children can collect the candy.

Kevin, Director of Evangelization shares his experiences growing up in El Salvador: In El Salvador, the country where I was born, Christmas has a very special meaning. My grandmother would gather the whole family together, and we would share traditional foods like turkey and chicken sandwiches. There was Christmas music and fireworks. The greatest lesson my grandmother taught us was that God is born in a clean home and a clean heart, because that is the home where God is joyfully welcomed.
And we end with JoseMaria Director of Evangelization who grew up in Chile where Christmas in December is the summertime. Christmas is during the summer break in Chile, so the whole experience is a little different. For instance, nobody decorates their houses with light because there is too much light outside. On the night of the 24th, the extended family get together at my parent’s house and wait until midnight, singing carols and eating special food. At midnight, they all sing happy birthday to Jesus and exchange presents.

From all of us priests, Sister, deacons, and parish staff, Merry Christmas on this 4th Sunday of Advent! We look forward to celebrating with you starting on Wednesday and Thursday and for the entire Christmas Season!