Pope John

Paul II will open the holy door in St. Peter's Basilica

in the Vatican Christmas Eve, ushering in Jubilee 2000.

This

symbolic act represents the start of a Holy Year filled

with joy... "a celebration of the Lord's

goodness...," said the Rev. Tim Hepburn, pastor of

the Catholic Church of St. Gabriel in Fayetteville.

"I'm really excited about it; I'm approaching it in

a prayerful way. This isn't a program to be

implemented," Hepburn said, in regard to Jubilee;

"it's something God is doing... it's a gift to be

received."

The Rev.

John Walsh, pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, stood

before the Basilica's holy door, which has remained

closed since 1975, last January during a pilgrimage to

Rome. He is reminding his parishioners that there are

many doors they need to open. "We need to open the

doors of our churches; this Christmas at Holy Trinity we

are going to make a special effort to welcome those who

are visiting with us, and we are asking our parishioners

to reach out to those who are new.

"We

need to open the doors of forgiveness... take

responsibility for some of the hurt we may have caused

others," he added. He also is asking that members

"open wide the doors of generosity."

"There

are some doors that cannot be pushed in, cannot be

knocked down, cannot be forced. These are the doors to

our heart. These must be opened from within," Walsh

said.

Holy

Trinity is offering the sacrament of reconciliation all

day Wednesday. It's a time when Catholics can confess

their sins, receive forgiveness and start the Jubilee

fresh, with grace and an open heart. Walsh said prompting

forgiveness from a sacramental level will hopefully lead

to individuals mending fences within their own families.

The doors

of St. Gabriel's are going to be painted a vibrant shade

of red, in recognition of the Jubilee, Hepburn said.

"We will have a Jubilee blessing on New Year's

Day."

Worldwide,

there are 53 official occasions starting with Jubilee Day

for Children on January 2 and running throughout the year

with recognition of artists, clergy, fathers, mothers,

the environment, and host of other groups and issues.

The first

Jubilee was celebrated by Christians in 1300 A.D. It was

declared by Pope Boniface VIII and repeated every 100

years until later years, when it was observed every 25

years. This is the first millennium Jubilee.

The

tradition of Jubilee is derived from Hebrew Scripture

which dictated a time to return land to its rightful

owner, cancel debts and free the enslaved. In Leviticus

25, people are instructed to let the land lie fallow,

answer the call to forgiveness, proclaim liberty and

freedom, practice justice, celebrate God's love.

Pope John

Paul II said, "The coming millennium must not be

considered simply as another step in the passage of time,

but as a step in the journey of humanity toward its

definitive destiny. The year 2000 is not only the

passageway to another millennium; it is the gateway to

eternity.

"The

true danger is not the passing of time, but spending it

badly, refusing the eternal life offered by Christ."