Merry Christmas!

And now begins the 12 Days of Christmas! I hope you are not sick of Christmas Music yet, because the next nearly two weeks are the real Season of Christmas (until January 6th, when Epiphany starts).

At St. John's we had a grand celebration. Unlike the last two years when we had snow and bitter cold (15 below zero wind-chill), this year's weather was a balmy 38 degrees, but raining. This was better weather for our far-ranging parishioners and friends to drive to downtown Detroit for worship.

Attendance this year at all Christmas services was over 450 people, and increase of over 75 from last year. The Children's Service showed the biggest percent increase (up to 115 from last year's 85) and even this morning's Mass, which was Low Mass with a few a cappella hymns, attracted an additional 12 people over last year.

The choir at 10:30/11pm was outstanding, and having such a large crowd sure adds to the 'feel' of worship! Unfortunately, I woke up on Christmas Eve Morning with no voice, the residual effect of a cold on Monday and Tuesday. Singing hymns and saying Mass at the children's service only made it worse, and I had very little voice to give to the 11pm Mass (the sursum corda and proper preface were a disaster!), but I gave it the best I could!

I look forward in the next few years, God willing. to our regular Sunday worship being as largely attended as Christmas 2005 (we are already past Christmas 2002 levels today). With a building that seats 800+, we have the room to grow!