November 1, 2016 | Solemnity of All Saints 
 

To the people of God of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux:

Peace be with you.  By the time you receive this letter the holiday season will be upon us.  Many of you may be reading this as you celebrate Thanksgiving, while some of you may be reading with full anticipation of Christmas. I, like so many of you, have cherished memories of Christmas: childhood joy, time with my family, and a unique spirit in the air. However, while many of us begin to anticipate Christmas, it is my hope that all of us will receive this letter as my gift to you for Advent in lieu of my traditional Christmas card. Even though December is a busy time of the year, God wants to speak to you. This Advent, even with its busyness, can be a special time with you and God. If we have the courage to slow down a bit we will be further disposed to the grace desires to give us.

As your servant and bishop I listen to you and cherish what I hear. I sense that many of us, either because of the economy or because of our personal journeys, need something or someone to hope in this Christmas. This Pastoral Letter is meant to share my heart with you, to draw us all into an inspiring promise from God, and to instill within us an excitement for our future.

May this Advent be filled with grace and a deepening of your relationship with God.
May this Advent be a time of reflection, prayer and hope. 

Sincerely in Christ,

+ Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre

Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux