Pastoral Letter December 2025
My Dear People,
As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on the past and look ahead with hope. This past year has been one of reflection and growth, marked by both celebration and challenge. We have celebrated birthdays and anniversaries and mourned the loss of loved ones, especially our cherished priests and Religious Sisters. We continue to celebrate the Sisters of St. Martha’s 125th anniversary year. This milestone reminds us of their enduring faith and service, which have shaped our faith community.
Looking back, we recognize that we are not the same as we were at the beginning of this year. We have endured difficult days—navigating a Trade War and tariffs, witnessing conflicts around the world, especially in Ukraine and Gaza, and responding to natural disasters and extreme weather events such as fires, earthquakes, and flooding. Time magazine named the architects of artificial intelligence its Person of the Year, acknowledging how AI “roared into view” and transformed many aspects of our lives.
As a Church, we observed the Jubilee Year of Hope as a special time for spiritual renewal, pilgrimage, forgiveness, and strengthening faith in God amidst world challenges. It reminded us that Christian hope is grounded in God’s unfailing love, with Jesus as the ultimate reason for hope.
We mourned the passing of Pope Francis on April 21 and celebrated the election of Pope Leo XIV on May 8. Our journey continues with the ongoing process of Synodality, initiated by Pope Francis in October 2021. This is a call for a more reformed, listening Church eager to embrace radical inclusion and shared mission. The synodal process involves global listening sessions at the diocesan, national, and continental levels, culminating in a major gathering in Rome in October 2028.
Central to this journey are the themes of Communion, Participation, and Mission. These principles challenge us to deepen our unity, open our hearts to everyone, and serve with renewed purpose. Synodality calls us to be a Church that listens to one another and to the voice of the Spirit guiding us forward.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we are reminded that through our baptism, we are called to be a light for others by living out our faith visibly. When we live our faith authentically, we become a light of hope and love within our communities. The Christmas Season reminds us that neighbourly concern, generosity, and unselfish love are vital expressions of our faith. Signs of such love serve as a light that pierces the darkness of our world and reminds us that God’s greatest gift to us is His Son, Jesus Christ—the Light of the World—who guides and leads us.
Our faith does not promise an escape from problems and hardships, but it sustains us with peace and hope. We know we are not alone—Emmanuel, God is with us in every struggle and every challenge. Many of our parishes and families are facing financial difficulties, and it’s important to remember that through faith and community, we can find strength and solutions.
Looking to the future requires more than reflection on the past. I am reminded of the Canadian philosopher, Marshall McLuhan’s famous words: “We look at the present through a rear-view mirror. We march backwards into the future.” Clinging only to familiar frameworks can leave us disoriented in a rapidly changing landscape. While our history is vital, we must also embrace new perspectives and possibilities. Collaboration and the ongoing process of Synodality are essential as we move forward together to meet the needs of our time.
May your Christmas be filled with peace, love, and joy. May the Light of Christ brighten your days and guide your way.
Fraternally,
Bishop Wayne Joseph Kirkpatrick
Bishop of Antigonish
