In his last annual Christmas message addressed to Maltese emigrants, Archbishop of Malta, Mons. Joseph Mercieca highlighted the importance of retaining values among emigrant families.
The Archbishop said that the Church is aware of the difficulties emigrants encounter, because of the great distances separating family members. Mons. Joseph Mercieca added that these difficulties can grow when different values, cultures and backgrounds come in contact with one another, at times distancing one from his or her roots.
Archbishop Mercieca was addressing Maltese emigrants one final time, before he steps down from his post to make way for his successor Mons. Pawl Cremona in January.
The Archbishop called on all emigrants to continue embracing their Maltese heritage laden with Catholic values and pass these on to future generations. “The love between a married couple is a special partnership with the mystery of life of God Himself. For this reason, it is our duty to safeguard the dignity of marriage and the great responsibility of conception,” continued Mons. Mercieca.
“It is also the duty of parents to sow and reap an environment of love and goodness within the same family, which will educate the younger members of the family both as individuals, as well as members of society,” continued the Archbishop, adding that “The family will indeed remain the first school where one learns about social virtues which are very much needed in all societies.”
Speaking of Christmas, the Archbishop called on emigrants to keep in mind that the centre of the feast is Jesus Christ’s birth. He added that Christmas encourages one to open up to God’s love and be reborn. “’Being reborn’ does not mean that we are reborn as with God and with others, blessed with the dignity of being God’s children and heirs, thanks to Jesus Christ.”
The Archbishop highlighted how the Christmas spirit drives on to strengthen relations, regardless of who we are and where we are. “In turn, where trouble is brewing, we can sincerely seek to close the door on the past and build a new bridge toward reconciliation”.
“Christmas also reminds us of how close God holds families to His heart,” stated the Archbishop, as he made reference to Jesus Christ’s descending upon Nazareth to save mankind.
“The greatest Christmas gift we can give ourselves and one another is to reach out to and embrace Jesus Christ’s invitation, as individuals, as families and as communities, so we can change and grow into new people, promoters of the love God has for everyone,” concluded the Archbishop.
See also:
President, PM send emigrants seasons' greetings
By MaltaMedia News
Dec 20, 2006, 10:26 CET
See also MaltaMedia's special feature on Christmas in Malta and Gozo for online greeting cards with images of Christmas in Malta, a webcast of traditional Maltese singing, and lots of information about Christmas traditions in the Maltese islands.
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