To the Community at St. Jude Parish,

Every year at Christmas I write a letter to my family. You are my family now, and I simply want to express how grateful I am, first and foremost, to the Archbishop for this assignment. It has been a wonderful way to begin as a new priest. 

In some ways, I thought that I was really prepared and ready to be a priest. I can say now, for certain, that I actually had no idea. I entered seminary as a young man right after high school, zealous to follow the Christ Child that we remember so well at Christmas time. Just as Jesus showed up at Christmas in the silence of the night, He showed up in my life unexpected and unannounced. I wanted to follow him. 

I went through nine years of intensive personal formation at Saint Charles Seminary in Philadelphia, but even that did not give me all the tools and talents necessary to be a priest in a parish setting. So, I thank you all for your patience with me and especially your warm welcome. 

You made the beatitudes come alive when I showed up here as a total stranger. I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I will never forget your kindness. 

I feel more confident in my vocation today, six months later, than I did when I first started here. I want you to know that being assigned here has been the greatest gift that I could have received this year. May God bless you and your families throughout these sacred days and into the New Year! 

Sincerely, Father Dave O’Brien