12/23/2025
CHRISTMAS 2025
“Behold, the Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall name Him Emmanuel, which means God is which us.” (Matthew 1:23)
Dear Parishioners of St. Augustine Cathedral,
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, I wish each of you a truly peaceful and grace-filled Christmas. In communion with Pope Leo’s prayer, May the Lord pour His peace and unity upon our families, our homes, our parish, and all nations, especially where discord and suffering weigh heavily. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…and he will be called Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). May the light of this Holy Child renew our hope and draw us closer to one another in charity.
The Birth of the Lord Jesus Christ is the beginning of the fulfillment of all the promises of God made in the Old Testament: He is the Messiah, He is King whose reign is everlasting. He is the Good Shepard who protects his flock, He is the perfection of the Commandments, He is the Word make flesh, He is the fullness of Grace dwelling among us, He is the Paschal Lamb who takes away the sins of the world, He is the Son of Mary and the Son of God. He is the Resurrection and the Life. Even in the trials of this past year, we have every reason to celebrate the Birth of the Lord at Christmas, knowing that God has never abandoned us nor failed in His promises to care and provide for His faithful.
I warmly invite you and your loved ones to join us for our Christmas liturgies as we rejoice together in the mystery of God-with-us. Your presence is a blessing to our Cathedral family.
In Christ,
Fr. Alan Valencia