To the Creighton University and the Creighton University Medical Center Community

Dear Colleagues:

The lights of the Creighton Christmas tree and the newly decorated central mall shine brightly, as I send holiday best wishes to each of you and to yours. We have already experienced the cold and snow of winter, but let the warmth of home and hearth bring you and yours the joys of this special season.

We enter into a special holiday season, a special Christmas, this year. During this past year many of you have experienced life-growing and nurturing moments, as well as challenging and stressful events. As a nation, we are experiencing an intractable war in Iraq, soaring energy costs, and have weathered multiple natural disasters. At this time of year, we have a great need to be with family and friends and to do some “seasonal” things. We need time to let-go, slow down and reflect on how truly fortunate we are. Creighton is fortunate to have had a very good year – solid enrollment, great students, quality teachers and researchers, service-focused staff, and the launching of a new campaign. So in the spirit of this holiday season, let us reach out, embrace, and encourage those around us.

May the life and grace of the Christmas Christ child fill you and restore you; may the light of the Hanukkah menorah shine upon you; may the Kwanzaa spirit of community fill your household; and may all of you have a wonderful holiday, a blessed Christmas, and a happy beginning to the new year.

You and your families are in my prayers and thoughts during this holy season.

John P. Schlegel, S.J.
President