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Your Defence Forces Newsletter Christmas Message 2012 I am pleased on behalf of the Defence Forces Chaplaincy Service to bring you greetings as we celebrate this holy season. One of the most important Christmas greetings is given by the angels to the shepherds who were watching their flocks by night. "Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole world. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10 There are many things around us that can cause us at times to be discouraged. At these times we should look to the shepherds as our model. When life seems hard the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future. This last year has reminded us that this world is not always an easy or safe place to live in, but it is the only place we have. It has been a challenging year for the Defence Forces. The downtown in our economy has continued to cause financial hardship for many. Many would wish they could be more generous but cannot afford to be. There is need for sensitivity as well as generosity. There is a need, as never before, to look out for colleagues, relations, neighbours and friends. The story of Christmas invites hope in every human heart and should make us a bit uneasy, a little dissatisfied, as we recognise all that still remains to be done to bring about that vision of God, sung by the angels, for peace on earth among all peoples. May the greeting of the angels to the shepherds be a source of encouragement to the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann, especially those serving overseas this Christmas. May all who are away from home be credible witnesses of Christ's message of peace and love. I wish and pray that this Christmas will be a time of great sharing and happiness amongst us. I remember especially those obliged to be apart from their families because of duty commitments and assure you of the support and prayers of all the chaplains. At this time, we are conscious of all who have died during the year and ask that God will comfort those left behind. They will forever be in our thoughts and prayers. On behalf of all the chaplains I thank you for the great support afforded the Chaplaincy Service during the past year. Thank you for being a powerful source of hope and encouragement. Finally, I pray that this Christmas will bring all of us the blessing of renewed joy for the future and the peace which comes from knowing that God-is-with-us, not just in this season of good will but in every minute, of every day, until the end of time. A Happy Christmas to you all and to all those whom you love. Guím sonas agus sábháilteacht do chomhaltaí na bhForsí Cosanta agus dá muintir an Nollaig agus san Athbhlian. Rt. Rev. Mgr. Eoin Thynne Head Chaplain to the Forces CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO MEMBERS OF THE DEFENCE FORCES FROM MINISTER ALAN SHATTER, T.D., MINISTER FOR JUSTICE, EQUALITY & DEFENCE O n my own behalf and that of all my Government colleagues, I want to send my warmest Christmas greetings to the members of the Defence Forces and your loved ones. Throughout the year, the members of the Army, the Naval Service and the Air Corps have continued to perform their many roles with continued professionalism and commitment. At home and overseas, in a very challenging environment, the Defence Forces have continued to deliver the services required of them by Government. Members of the Defence Forces across all services have ensured the security of the State, supported our communities through emergency response and community assistance in times of hardship and have continued to contribute to Ireland's international reputation in many troublespots throughout the world. I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your high level of service to the State and to the cause of International peacekeeping. 2012 has been a year of very significant change, including a significant reorgani- sation of the Defence Forces, so as to live within the available resource envelope. I believe that the re-organisation currently underway, as recommended to me by the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, places the Defence Forces in a position whereby they are now better organised and structured to meet both the current demands and the challenges of the future. The Government remains committed to maintaining a significant overseas presence within the available resources and capabilities of the Defence Forces. In 2012, we continued Ireland's participation in UNIFIL and a range of other missions, contributing to international peace and security and providing opportunities for the professional development of our forces, in particular junior officers and NCOs. Participation in such missions is a continuation of our long and honourable tradition of supporting the United Nations and illustrates the very positive and practical difference that small countries like Ireland can make in the world's trouble spots. At this time of the year, many members of the Defence Forces are spending Christmas overseas, separated from their families and loved ones. It is especially at this time that the absence of a loved one from home is most greatly felt and I know that their families will miss them all dearly. We also remember all those members of the Defence Forces who have lost their lives in the cause of peace and security. Our thoughts and best wishes are with their families and friends. I would like to wish all our Defence Forces and their families a happy and a peaceful Christmas and every success for 2013. Guím sonas agus sábháilteacht do chomhaltaí na bhFórsaí Cosanta agus dá muintir an Nollaig seo agus san Áthbhlian. Alan Shatter, TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence

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