Letter From Our Pastor

Welcome to Holy Spirit Parish’s webpage! You are most welcome to join us anytime.

Christmas Message

Merry Christmas! In the Gospel specially chosen for Christmas Eve, we hear: “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Christ, the Lord.” Christmas celebrates the tender love of God that shines the light of his mercy and compassion, the child Jesus, into the world. Jesus, if we follow him, will lead us on the path of peace. We may wonder as we look at the conflicts and troubles in the world and the difficulties here at home, what does God do about the darkness of sin, the shadow of suffering?

The answer of course begins with what we celebrate December 25th – the birth of Jesus Christ. He shines the light of his love into the darkest places bringing hope and his message of redemption. Christmas is more significant than Happy Birthday Baby Jesus. What happened in the stable in Bethlehem was the first step in the beginning of our redemption. The stable in Bethlehem leads to Calvary: the wood of the manger, to the beams of the Cross. Despair to the meaning of life and hope. Birth to death and Resurrection.

What we celebrate tonight is the beginning of our salvation and the proof that God loves us. Christmas celebrates that Christ really did come to earth, humbling himself to share in our condition so that he might save us. God would do anything to restore us to his friendship – that is what Christmas teaches us.

Are we willing to receive Jesus in our lives? Will we make room for him in our hearts and families or are our lives too full of other things? Jesus wants to come to us, personally, this Christmas. Will we welcome him?

Merry Christmas!

Father Geoffrey Kerslake

Pastor

Sunday Reflection:  4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, February 1, 2026

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Reflection

The point of the Beatitudes in the Gospel is not a checklist for earning our way into heaven or to acquire earthly blessings. Jesus instead shows us in his person that he is the living example of the Beatitudes. He shows us what they look like in action. If we adopt these Beatitudes ourselves we will be more like him (Leiva-Merikakis). The Beatitudes are God’s gift to us not an imposition because they reveal how to live a Godly life.

Fr. Geoff

——————————————————————————————————————————-

To all the Parish’s generous faithful

Thank you to all who donate to the ongoing operation of the parish.  For e-Transfer please send it to admin@holyspiritparish.ca and use the password, Holyspirit (all one word with a capital H).  We currently have a significant number of parishioners who contribute via bank auto debit.  If you would like more information about the program or wish to participate, please contact the parish office at 613-836-8881 or email admin@holyspiritparish.ca