Dear Family and Friends,
As the old song goes, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Everywhere You Go.” https://youtu.be/QJ5DOWPGxwg?si=-AgEQWREky1LqpK-
That’s especially true in Colombia. Envigado, our little section of the great metropolitan city of Medellín, turned on it’s Christmas Lights way back in early November. Everywhere you go there’s Christmas, especially in our home. With all my mom’s handmade decorations and Óscar’s collection of over 500 nativities, Christmas is literally everywhere! Of course, I began the season by watching Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory with the wonderful Geraldine Page. It was my mom’s favorite. https://youtu.be/_lmjU54i6R4?si=k58ScXB1EKk522HE
It's been a fun 75th year. We celebrated with two trips to the USA, one in January, the other in June. On the second trip, Óscar’s sister, Doralba, went with us. We were able to visit with many friends in Asheville, Charlotte, Detroit, Niagara Falls, Mobile and Miami! In Charlotte, I was finally able to meet our new bishop, Michael Martin, OFM Conv. What a wonderful shepherd for the church in Western North Carolina. While in Mobile, I was able to visit with my Aunt Mary, who died later in the year. In August, Óscar and I went on an interesting pilgrimage to Medjugorje and the Balkans. Since August I have been busy helping in my local parish, celebrating Masses and hearing confessions. Things are really picking up this Advent. Soon we will begin the great Colombian tradition, the Novena for Christmas, Novena de Aguinaldos (December 16-24).
In addition to my Aunt Mary, we lost two special friends this year, Myrna Rodríguez (1937-2024) and Father Larry Richardt (1937-2025). Myrna was the sister of Meira Riesco. Myrna died in December, and I celebrated her funeral in our January visit to Asheville. Father Larry was my spiritual director when I was in seminary at Saint Meinrad, Indiana. He helped to make me the priest I am today. He is greatly missed. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/j-richardt-obituary?id=58809612
I continue to post the Daily Reflection and the Orchid Ministry in Facebook, by text and email. If you would like to be added to the list 🙂 (or removed 😳), please let me know. We continue feeding the birds, Óscar the larger birds who love the plantains, Morris the hummingbirds (5-6 different types). In the coming year we hope to explore more of Colombia. We would love for you to come visit and get to know our beautiful paradise!
May your Christmas be filled with God’s blessings, and may the New Year be another year of grace in the Lord!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2026!
Morris & Óscar
Christmas, 2025
Snail Mail:
C Morris Boyd
P.O. Box 18444
Asheville, NC 28814-0444
Email:
WhatsApp: +57 (300) 243-7352
US Virtual Phone: (828) 713-1344
Colombian cell: +57 (300) 243-7352
Google Voice: (754) 307-6821
