This Christmas is a little different from the last one in that our Pope (Francesco) has issued an exhortation that gives an enormous amount of hope to all Christian people around the world. Evangelii Gaudium is a most uplifting treatise about our baptismal obligation to share the joy of the gospel with everyone – especially the poor.

He has some very specific challenges for all pastoral leaders, encouraging us to show outward signs of enjoying being missionaries. We must give more time, prayer, and sensitivity to the preparation and delivery of homilies and biblical reflections as we lead one another to the poor so that we too can be inspired by the faith and spiritual life of those who are marginalised.

As I complete my term as Provincial, my wish for you is this same creativity and enthusiasm for mission. It has been a privilege to be in leadership ministry for the past nine years and I can only hope that I have lived my role with at least some of the joy that Papa Francesco refers to. You have challenged me, cared for me and inspired me. I cherish moments when you have deepened my personal faith and my sense of being missionary.

I wish you all a blessed Christmas.

Yours in the Word,

Fr Tim Norton SVD
Provincial

PS - "In the Word" also wishes our valued readers a blessed Christmas. After a summer break, we will be back in February 2014.