More from Christmas past

A few more flashbacks from my Christmas in past parishes in New York. The first one shows a marquee sign that I took care of for 6 years in Rocky Point, changing the message to keep it simple, yet appealing. It was the busy parish of St Anthony of Padua, with lots of children and youth, very much involved in so many activities going on there. This is the message I placed there on one Christmas, probably in 1994 or 1995. The most popular message that brought many people to stop and think, and hopefully act on it was: 'Love your enemies, and you'll drive them nuts!'

The second photo shows the Holy Family with baby Jesus in the foreground and the crucified Christ in the background, out of focus, as if to celebrate the beginning of Jesus and the predict the end of Jesus, dying for us on the cross. The Holy Family was part of the Neapolitan nativity display, set up around a huge Christmas tree.

The third photo was taken in New York City, in my early years there, when I started studying the flute on my own. It shows a statue of flutist serenading passers-by and enticing them to stop in and shop, at an age when shopping was popular, but not as crazy as it is today. The Christmas tree in the background, made from poinsettias adds a festive and seasonal touch.

A PowerPoint presentation on CHRISTMAS IN MALTA will be presented by Father Julian on Thursday, December 13 at Hilltop Gardens, (The Courtyard) at 10:30 AM and repeated at 7 PM.