OAPCE
Christmas 2025 message from the Liaison Bishop
✠ Yvan Mathieu, SM
Dear members of the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE),
As we approach the sacred season of Christ’s birth, our hearts turn once again toward the mystery of God’s love revealed in the Infant of Bethlehem. Though Scripture does not record the precise day of Jesus’ birth, Christians throughout the centuries have gathered on December 25 to rejoice in the coming of the One who brings hope to a weary world. In these winter days, as the light steadily grows and the long nights begin to fade, we are reminded that Christ Himself is the true and everlasting Light—guiding our steps, strengthening our spirit, and inviting us into deeper trust. His life among us continues to shine in every act of compassion, forgiveness, and courage we share.
This Christmas season also connects us to a beloved moment in our Church’s history. Eight hundred years ago, Saint Francis of Assisi sought a simple yet profound way to help people contemplate the humility of the Son of God. In a quiet hillside village, he arranged the first living depiction of the Nativity—inviting families, friars, and neighbors to stand in awe before the mystery of a God who became small for our sake. Their gathering was filled with song, prayer, and a joy so tangible that it renewed the faith of all who witnessed it. That same spirit of wonder continues to inspire the Nativity scenes in our homes, parish halls, and classrooms today.
As we celebrate Christmas during the concluding months of the Jubilee Year 2025, we are reminded that this holy year calls us to renewal—to allow Christ to reshape our hearts, our relationships, and our commitments. A Jubilee is a time of fresh beginnings, of restoring what has been worn down, and of recognizing God’s mercy at work in our lives. It invites us to walk forward with confidence, trusting that Christ continues to accompany us gently yet powerfully in every circumstance.
Within our homes and Catholic schools, this season offers a precious opportunity to welcome Christ anew. Our children learn about Jesus not only through lessons and liturgies, but through the example we set: the patience we show, the kindness we extend, and the faith we nurture in quiet, everyday moments. As parents and caregivers, your role in handing on the gift of faith is irreplaceable. Every prayer spoken together, every gesture of generosity, and every conversation about God’s presence becomes a seed planted in young hearts.
May this Christmas be a time when Christ finds a warm and joyful place in our families, our communities, and our schools. As we journey toward the end of this Jubilee Year, may He deepen our unity, strengthen our mission, and fill our homes with peace that the world cannot give.
Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed, hope-filled, and joyous Christmas season.
May the light of Christ remain with you always.
Merry Christmas to you all!
✠ Yvan Mathieu, SM
