The Barefoot Shepherd arrives

Every year in our Cathedral of St Francis De Sales in Baker City, just after the three Kings make their punctual arrival in front of the Nativity, a strange character arrives to adore baby Jesus. This is the barefoot shepherd, who kneels down and takes his sandals off and prays for a while in front of the Savior, surrounded by his mother and father, Mary and Joseph and a group of other shepherds. Recollecting the words that God told Moses on approaching the burning bush, "Remove your sandals from your feet, because this is sacred ground," our shepherd promptly takes off his sandals out of respect. He knows this is holy ground and he can only approach the infant child in utter humiliation and admiration. 

The exact place where Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

The place where Jesus was born in Bethlehem is marked with a piece of glass where people can look through and see the ground underneath. Surrounding the glass underneath the main altar is a star with the inscription “Here Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary”, and 15 lamps are continuously lit, 6 belonging to the Greek Orthodox, 5 to the Armenians and 4 to the Catholics, and it’s their responsibility to make sure they are never extinguished. Besides, the room where Jesus was born and where the star is placed, has a low ceiling, and you can only enter in bowing down, out of respect, literally on your knees, in adoration to Jesus.

Feast of the Epiphany

The Three Kings by Maltese artist Emvin Cremona, Ghaxaq parish church, Malta

Even though the liturgical celebration of the Epiphany will be on Sunday January 8, many countries still observe it on this day, January 6th, which is also considered as the 12th day of Christmas. Many beautiful paintings have been produced over the centuries to depict this scene of Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar presenting the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the newborn Jesus. The gifts represent respectively the characteristics that Jesus had, as a King (gold,) as a God (frankincense,) and as a human being (myrrh.) The above painting is from the ceiling of St Mary's parish church in Ghaxaq, Malta, painted by Chev. Emvin Cremona, a Maltese painter and one of my favorite artists. The entire ceiling of the same church has other paintings representing scenes from the life of the Blessed Mother.

It was in the 4th Century that December 25 was finally adopted by the Western Christian Church as the date Christ's birth date. It is believed that this change in date gave rise to the tradition of the "12 Days of Christmas." While the Western Christian Church celebrates December 25th, the Eastern Christian Church to this day recognizes January 6 as the celebration of the nativity. January 6 is still considered in Italy and the Spanish countries as the day when the presents are open. Imagine these children having to look at the presents under the tree for 12 days and not being able to open them. In a way it makes sense to open gifts on the day Jesus received his 3 gifts from the Kings. But tell that to American children!

In Slavic and eastern European countries, including Poland, there is a tradition that on the evening before the feast of the Epiphany, traditionally they recite prayers, blessed dried herbs would be burnt and their aromatic smell would fill the house. Doorways would be sprinkled with holy water and the head of the house would write with chalk C + M + B and the year above every door in the house door and say: "Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar, protect us again this year from the dangers of fire and water." C + M + B has traditionally been translated with Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, however, there is a tradition that it stands for "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" (Christ bless this home).

My Cathedral

St Francis De Sales Cathedral in 2011

I am blessed to have been entrusted with the care and embellishment of a beautiful Cathedral, as well as the pastoral care of the people of my parish of St Francis De Sales in Baker City, Oregon. The Cathedral was built between 1906 and 1908 and so in 2008 we had a major renovation in the sanctuary area, and the following 4 photos can give you an idea of how it changed over the the past 104 years. Renovations were done in 1944, 1958, 1980 and 2008. To see more of the Cathedral and to follow events, activities and plenty of photos, check my parish website, which I also take care of, at the St Francis Cathedral website

Cathedral in 1908

Cathedral in 1954

Cathedral in  2005

Starting off

After working on a personal website for over 12 years and a parish website for the past 7 years, I decided to start a personal blog, mainly to share reflections, meditations, clips from my homilies, photos I take regularly, and also an occasional watercolor painting I create in my free time. 

I dedicate this first entry to my father John who died 10 years ago on January 4, 2002, as well as my mother Mary who died on April 25, 2010 and my brother Paul who died suddenly December 8, 2010. Their memories and their appreciation towards me will continue to motivate me to work harder for the people I serve. Please bear with me as I navigate and familiarize myself with this blog. Much more will be posted frequently once I get used to it. Since one of my hobbies is photography, I have taken thousands of good nature photos which I will share with you from time to time.

My father John in 1988

My mother Mary in 1988

With my parents on the day of my ordination on June 19th, 1977

With my brother Paul in 1996