Dear Brothers and Sisters,

“The Mercy of God is revealed in the face of Our Lord Jesus Christ,” said Pope Francis in his presentation of the Year of Mercy. “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is 9:5) It is a child in a manger that comes to us to proclaim the Good News of the Love and Mercy of God! To proclaim our salvation!

I also make mine these words of our Patriarch Fouad Towal: “The Church and the community of believers also have to respond to the world’s current situation.” This response is the Jubilee of Mercy, inaugurated on December 8 by Pope Francis. “Mercy is the remedy for the ills of our time,” said our Patriarch. Mercy is for each one of us, to better know God our Father and to love him more. It is through mercy that we make visible to the world the tenderness and closeness of God.

Dear friends, the birth of Christ is a sign of the Mercy of the Father and a promise of joy to us all. His message shines upon our wounded world, to console the afflicted, the oppressed, and to bring about conversion to hearts, especially those full of anger and hatred.

Together with Fr. Jim and Fr. Fernando, I would like to wish you all a very blessed, peaceful and joyful Christmas.

Fr. Carlos Ferrero, IVE
Parish Priest, Paphos.