Message from European Coordinator...

“The angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.”

(Lk 2, 10-11)

Dear Confreres,

Dear Lay Missionaries of the Most Holy Redeemer,

Dear Partners in Mission,

The mystery of Christmas gives us the possibility of experiencing the infinite love of God. Like the shepherds we are full of surprise that God is among us and that He is so close to us. But still despite this closeness He is a mystery; but the mystery of love.

This mystery is a chance for every one of us to change something in our life, to change our limitations into His power and greatness. Without Christmas there was no possibility of being in a new relationship with God, there was no possibility of receiving true hope and happiness.

But in some way Christmas is only the stage through which Jesus Christ our Redeemer introduces us to His great Mystery of Salvation. And so this Christmas is utterly important for us, because it is a beginning of our journey – sometimes a very difficult journey, but the journey which leads us to the fullness of joy and happiness.

At this special time in the life of the Conference of Europe, we find ourselves at a special moment. It is the beginning of something new, which leads us to an even greater devotion to God and to His work of redemption.

We need this amazing moment of the grotto at Bethlehem, in which it was almost impossible to recognize the power of God, and the beginning of so great a redemption for so many people. But from this small beginning, the work of Redemption has gone to the ends of the earth.

So my wish for all of you is that this meeting with God at the grotto of Bethlehem will lead you to renewed hope, joy and strength, and help you also to deliver the Good News to the most abandoned and especially the poor around the world.

With prayer,

Fr. Jacek Zdrzałek CSsR

Coordinator CRE