Click on the links throughout this letter to access additional information or to discover learning opportunities associated with the linked word or phrase.
This is the last letter with the above greeting. We have received the decree from the Bishop about the merging of the two parishes. Next month the letter will be addressed to the Members and Friends of St, Blaise Parish. The Bishop rejected the first three choices of names we sent him. The Bishop chose the fourth option. Information about the merger is in the bulletin and the website.
I hope that your Thanksgiving Day feast prepares you well for the Season of Advent. We tend to overlook the Church’s liturgical season in the face of our culture’s emphasis on Christmas as an economic event. We are constantly bombarded with messages that urge us to buy, buy, and buy! The Season of Advent offers a different and ultimately much more important message. Through the readings and prayers of this liturgical season we are reminded to prepare, prepare, prepare! This preparation focuses on the return of Christ in triumph in the first part of the season, and only after December 16 does our attention turn to the Nativity, or birth, of our Lord Jesus.
To help with our preparation for what is ultimately important, there are many activities I will highlight.
Sunday, Dec.1, the IHM Knights of Columbus will have a pancake breakfast at IHM.
Friday, Dec.6, the singing group, The Men of Independence, will have a concert at St. Joseph Church at 7:00pm.
Saturday, Dec.7, Confessions will be heard St. Joseph at 3:30pm. We will have the Rite of Acceptance for the 8th Grade Confirmation Candidates at 4:30 Mass. This day will also mark the 5th anniversary of music ministry for Jason Volovar at St. Joseph. Please consider joining the choir or becoming a cantor to help with his many gifts that he provides for our worship.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th) is a Holy Day of Obligation. The Bishops have moved the obligation to Monday Dec. 9. The Mass schedule is 9:00am at St. Joseph The Mass at IHM is at Noon.
Tuesday, Dec.10, the Communal Penance Service will be at IHM. On Thursday, Dec.12, the Communal Penance Service will be at St. Catherine Church in Lake Milton. The Penance Service at St. Michael will be Monday, Dec 16. The service will begin at 7:00 pm. at each location. There will be several confessors available. In preparing for the return of Christ and the celebration of Christmas, Confession is literally good for the soul!
The Eucharist will be celebrated at 4:00 pm at St. Joseph and at 6:00 pm at IHM on Christmas Eve. We will have Mass at 9:00 am at St. Joseph and at 11:00 am at IHM on Christmas Day.
Please click on the image below to learn more about our campaign to support the IHM Food Pantry and the St. Joseph Garden.
I am eager to celebrate the holidays with all of you this year. Praying that God continues to bless and keep you, I remain
