MY FAVORITE CHALLENGE - When a non-Catholic comes to me for instructions in the Catholic faith, I find that a big challenge to bring him/her to accept God and all His teachings. I start off by trying to prove to them from reason that there must be a First Cause - a Supreme intellect governing the world, a Supreme Lawmaker who sets up our moral and natural laws - an independent and infinite cause. Then I go on to the soul, spiritual life, the Bible and all it contains. It's a challenge to have them accept my proof and teachings. Some persevere for 9 months to one year of instruction before they ask for baptism; others drop out along the line because they have not built up their faith, hope and love which three supernatural virtues are at the heart of my teaching. I love to take on this challenge and then see it through to bringing forth a fervent Catholic and I have a good many of these.

FORGET SELF SOCIETY - The 83 year old principal of the best private primary and secondary school in Taiwan, Mrs. Helen Chang, is a daily communicant at our church. She introduced many of her teachers to me for instructions in our Catholic faith. Many have been baptized and they, together with Helen, have a Catholic group in their school called "FORGET SELF SOCIETY". They meet once every month for a religious discussion, confession and Mass and I often lead them in this meeting. As you know, my Chinese name is "Shepherd", so they call themselves "Fr. Shepherd's (Murphy's) little sheep". For my birthday they gave me a beautiful painting with the picture of each of my little sheep on the head of a sheep, including Helen herself. At the center of the picture is a big sheep, myself, surrounded by all of my little ones. It is a very touching and beautiful gift and I have placed it on my desk. You are welcome to come and see it!

ONE MORE YEAR - November 29th was my 86th birthday (87th on the Chinese calendar, for they count the year I spent in my mother's womb). My parishioners here put on lunches and dinners for me on the days preceding and on the day itself. The biggest was on Sunday, November 22nd, when they were all here for Mass and a big party afterwards. Do you wonder why I returned from the U.S.A.? To be with all of these wonderful spiritual children - my family. However, I was very tired after the celebrations were over. My deepest thanks to all of you who sent me birthday greetings and prayers, letters and gifts. Because of the problem with the muscles in my back, I am not able to send you individual letters of thanks, so I hope that you will accept my expression of thanks in this letter plus all of my prayers for you.

DO YOU STILL WISH TO RECEIVE THESE SHEPHERD'S NOTES? - If you do, please write your name on the enclosed envelope and mail it back to our San Francisco office. If you wish to enclose an offering for our work here, we will be most grateful.

FINALLY, MY WARMEST CHRISTMAS GREETINGS AND NEW YEAR'S BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU - I will pray in my daily Mass that our Infant Savior may bring you and your loved ones closer to Himself at Christmas and more and more during 1999.