Father Philip Smith: We can’t ever do it all, only God can do it all. We’re weak. We need each other for help and support.

Monsignor Michael Billian: Let today find us at peace, our trust firmly in the one who does not forget us. And let our role in life be to bring calmness and reassurance to all those lives we touch today!

Father Philip Smith: Jesus is inviting us to show perfect love in the midst of imperfect life situations.

Father Philip Smith: Over time and with some patience, God can completely transform the way we act, the way we live in the world.

Father Philip Smith: When we fail, we can step back and we can put our lives in perspective and look at what really might need to change and what we can do differently.

Father Philip Smith: Usually when things are fun and comfortable and exciting, we say we’re blessed, but when life is hard, unfair and painful, we hardly feel blessed at all.

Monsignor Michael Billian reflects on his own call to the priesthood.

Father Philip Smith: There’s an incredible freedom from giving our lives into God’s hands and allowing God to lead us on a journey into an uncertain and unknown future.

Monsignor Michael Billian: Christ came for all nations, for all peoples. And if we are ambassadors for Christ in the world, then we too need to be prepared to welcome all peoples as well.

Father Philip Smith: And yet as we come here today with Mary, we turn our gaze to that child in a manger in Bethlehem, that child that shows us the beauty and dignity of our shared humanity, the child who can change our stories of war into stories of peace.