Christmas Celebrations at Saint Jerome

In preparation for the celebration of Christmas, St. Jerome’s parishioners gathered for a novena in honor to the Child Jesus. Each day a procession carrying the images of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph was done inside the church while singing traditional Christmas songs.

On December 17^th, St. Jerome’s Children's Choir presented a beautiful collection of Christmas Carols that delighted the audience. We gratefully acknowledge the dedication of Hannah Mills under whose direction the choir performed so beautifully.  On the same night, a chamber orchestra skillfully played several traditional pieces that expressed the richness of our Catholic tradition. We thank specially our music director Ramon Catalan who played the organ and conducted the entire concert.

On December 24^th, children from our parish and our parochial school reenacted the Nativity of Our Lord. In the play children sang some Christmas carols that added more enchantment to the already tender and joyful acting of the children. The Christmas play was performed under the direction of Noemi Reyes and Lucy Bennet who generously dedicated time and effort to make the Christmas Eve unforgettable for all children and parents.

The Christmas Eve Mass was presided by our Pastor Fr. Gustavo Nieto and concelebrated by Fr. Jorge Randle and Fr. Juan Nuñez who serve at St. Jerome Church. In the homily Fr. Nieto reminded his large audience of how the Nativity of our Lord is the central and greatest mystery of history, in which the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity was made man taking upon himself our sorrow, our misery and our guilt, in order to pay the debt of our sins.  Quoting Saint Leo the Great where he says, “God became man, so that man could become God,” Father Nieto exhorted his parishioners to acknowledge their dignity as Christians and to ponder of what body we are members.

A blessing with the image of the Child Jesus was given to all the faithful which later lined up to kiss it as a sign of devotion to our Lord.

On Christmas day the celebration of the Eucharist was certainly the central event at the parish. After mass a lunch was cordially prepared for those who wanted to spend their Christmas with St. Jerome’s family.

“[Jesus] does not come with power and outward splendor. He comes as a baby –defenseless and in need of our help. He does not want to overwhelm us with his strength. He takes away our fear of his greatness. He asks for our love: so he makes himself a child.” Pope Benedict XVI

May the joy and peace of our newborn Savior bless you this Christmas and always.