A Word from Bishop Tyson        

 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“God’s sign is that he makes himself small; he becomes a child; he lets us touch him and he asks for our love.” Pope Benedict XVI

It is in the profound simplicity of the birth of a child that the immensity of our Lord is revealed today.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Here in the Diocese of Yakima we have a wonderful Christmas tradition; a tradition where we come together as a diocesan family to support the work of our Catholic Charities. What an appropriate time that we do this!

The staff, volunteers and supporters of Catholic Charities and its network of Agencies, including Catholic Family & Child Service, St. Vincent Centers and Catholic Charities Housing Services are the faces of compassion and mercy for our diocese.

It is through those faces, that we continually express God’s love and make concrete our continued commitment as a diocese to the mission of Catholic Charities: Inspired by Christ, we Bring Hope to Life, especially to those most in need.

• Today, I invite you to join in this great work and bring hope to the many women who turn to Catholic Charities who are pregnant, alone and struggling to know where to turn for the support they so desperately need.
   
• Today, I invite you to offer an elder the dignity and respect that result from that assistance that they receive that allows them to remain independent in their own home.
   
• Today, I invite you to affirm our commitment to the many lives, wherever we encounter them along their journeys to find hope….the very same hope that is revealed to us today in the birth of a child.

These services are essential and without them thousands of people in our diocese would be left without hope. These days the needs are many, but they are not insurmountable. Through your gift, given during our Christmas Masses this weekend, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Yakima can provide solutions and relief to even the most staggering of problems. Don’t let the basket pass you by.

All of God’s love for humanity took on the form of a child. Will you open your hearts this Christmas season and respond out of love and compassion as you would to a vulnerable child born in a manger? If so, then I urge you to give generously online today by joining your parish community to Bring Hope to Life in the Yakima Diocese

Be assured of my gratitude and prayers this holy Christmas season,

United with you in this outreach of love, I remain,

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Rev. Joseph J. Tyson
Bishop of Yakima