For the past few years that I have been here as Rector of the Cathedral, one of the great highlights of the year is the Christmas celebration of Mass During the Night, which we often call Midnight Mass since that is the time at which we celebrate this Mass. Every aspect of this Mass is a source of great joy. First and foremost, we celebrate this Mass with all the clergy of the parish, under the leadership of Bishop Paprocki, for whom I have a deep respect and appreciation for as a father, a brother, and a friend. What a great blessing it is to serve with the other clergy of the parish, including our Parochial Vicar, Father Paul Lesupati, celebrating his first Christmas as a priest! Although they are only technically In Residence, Father Dominic Rankin and Father Dominic Vahling are an integral part of our parish family, and truly a blessing to live with as brothers in the Cathedral Rectory. I am also profoundly grateful to have two excellent Deacons serving our parish so faithfully, Deacon Larry Smith and Deacon Rob Sgambelluri.
As the Entrance Procession begins, the music, under the direction of Mark Gifford and his choir and musicians, I am reminded of what a gift we have with our Sacred Music here, a comment I hear regularly. The music as we process in this night certainly lifts my heart to rejoice in this special night on which we remember Christ’s birth.
As the procession nears the altar, I cannot help but notice the many familiar faces present in the congregation. While some are visitors, many are the families that make up our wonderful parish, and I give thanks to God for the privilege of being a part of this family. As I mentioned at Thanksgiving, I never really have the opportunity to celebrate holidays with my physical family, but as I am at these Christmas masses, I know that I am celebrating the day with the family that God, in His goodness, has blessed me with, and no gathering could be more important and beautiful than when we gather as a family for Mass.
As the liturgy proceeds, we get to listen to the Word of God, recounting the story of the Word becoming flesh in Bethlehem nearly 2000 years ago, which reminds us of the Good News of great joy that Our Messiah has come to save us! Then, right before our eyes, the Word becomes flesh and dwells among us in the Eucharist, of which we are able to partake, thus receiving the greatest of gifts. All serve to remind me of the gift of our Catholic faith in general, and the particular gift of being a priest to preach this Good News and bring the Eucharist to you each and every day.
After the Mass has concluded and everybody has departed to get some sleep, the church becomes quiet and peaceful. Whether it is before retiring for the night myself, or early the next morning before anybody arrives, I look forward to spending time in the dim light of the church, praying before the beautiful Nativity scene, adoring the newborn King. And while I have my own personal Nativity scene in my room, I prefer being here in the church, because the Lord is truly present in the tabernacle, there to adore Him in this local Bethlehem, which in Hebrew means “house of bread.”
As we are at the beginning of this diocesan Year of the Eucharist, may we be renewed this Christmas in our love for this great gift which He offers to us, the gift of His very self in the Eucharist. May we make it our intention to come and adore Him here more frequently, letting His peaceful presence remind us of the Good News that His light is always present to shine in the darkness of our lives and our world, and to know that the darkness will never overcome His light, so long as we stay close to Him.
In addition to the individuals I mentioned above, I also want to take this opportunity, as I do each year, to express my profound gratitude for the following staff members who help to keep our parish running well, so that we can be that welcome home for our parish family: Bill Vogt, Kim Gunter, Vicki Compton, Jan Sgambelluri, Haley Dutton, Ryan Dufner, Rusty Overturf, and Sue Sandidge.
From all of the clergy and staff of the Cathedral, we wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!
Father Alford