The last two brothers with COVID tested negative on the 14th. We
reopened on the 15th, all of us wearing masks throughout the day for several
more days. Inside Christmas decorations and outdoor lights were hastily
put up and suddenly the house took on a much more festive atmosphere.
Our first guest to join us after we reopened was unexpected. A call on our answering machine informed us that a pilgrim was making his way to us on foot from a considerable distance away. Fortunately, having just reopened, we had room for him when he arrived and housed him for two nights. Chris was gradually making his way on foot to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. Please say a prayer for his safe travels.
Because of the deep freeze and winds, guests were sparse for the Christmas Eve blessing of the crèche. With the storm continuing on Christmas Day, many guests with reservations wisely decided to stay at home instead. One family from Canada patiently waited several hours for the border to open due to the blizzard in Buffalo and arrived in time for Christmas supper in the evening.
We received the sad news on Christmas Day of the death of a dear
friend of ours, Father Dominic Hanh Nguyen. He was the Conventual Prior
of the monastery of Thien Tam in Texas. Then on the 31st, retired Pope
Benedict XVI died at the age of 95. Please pray for them and for all those
we lost in 2022.