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December 5, 2017Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we enter the second week of the season of Advent, we are called to wait joyfully for the Lord. We know Christmas is near. We know it’s always a stressful time. Why not make a “liturgical new year resolution” to wait patiently free from distractions? While everyone else is speeding up, try slowing down and listening for the voice crying out in the desert, “Prepare the way of the Lord.”
Our Advent wreath was blessed last Sunday and the first candle was lit to remind us of the hope we have in the coming of the light of Christ. As we light the second candle this weekend, let us not allow the darkness of the world to overshadow that light. It has been entrusted to us to be kept burning brightly. Just as we light our trees and homes these days, do not fail to show forth the light of Christ in all you say and do in this Advent season.
Last weekend I introduced a new program to the STHY parish family. FORMED is the revolutionary digital online platform that gives STHY unprecedented access to video-based study programs, feature films, audio presentations, and eBooks from the Church’s foremost presenters. With your free access to FORMED, 24/7 on your television, smart phone, laptop, I-pad, or Kindle; you can:
- Prepare for Mass each week by watching an insightful five-minute video on the Sunday Readings.
- Study the Scriptures at your own pace and time.
- Enjoy movies as a family that are both nourishing and entertaining.
- Enrich your marriage with the award winning video program Beloved.
- Help your children grow in faith and character with engaging children’s materials.
Soo I am asking every family to register for your free access to all the amazing content on FORMED. Go to FORMED.org to register and enter Code:77GVZ3.
Next, I want to thank all those who have contributed to the various donation drives that have been going on here at STHY in the last few weeks. Angel Tree 2017 donation drive is turning out to be a great success. Thank you for your generosity.
The Archdiocese annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious is this weekend. Cardinal DiNardo is encouraging all of the faithful to give what they can in support of the 34,000 senior sisters, brothers and religious order priests who have served throughout our Archdiocese and the United States. The retirement fund for Religious offers vital financial assistance to help meet the day to day needs for medications, nursing care and more. The U.S. bishops initiated the collection in 1988 to address the significant lack of retirement funding among U.S. religious communities. Proceeds are distributed to eligible communities to help underwrite retirement and health-care expenses. Thank you for your generosity.
We have a special treat for everyone at STHY as for Potluck supper in Guyot Hall this Tuesday December 12th 7:00 p.m. This is a time for fellowship in our community so come out on Wednesday and bring a dish to share.
Finally, I send out my sincere thanks to all who made a pledge for our Building Faith, Family and Future… our Sanctuary, Our Home…. Capital Campaign. I truly appreciate your generosity and support. We ask every family, this holiday season, to consider an equal sacrifice, not an equal size gift. As we enter the Christmas season and the time for giving, we can all do our part, and every pledge, of every size, is most needed and welcomed. Thank you for doing your part to help us reach our goal.
With Christmas day 2017 on December 25th falling on a Monday it’s going to be a busy time for us in the church as we transition from our Advent season environment to the Christmas season. (In order transform the Church around for the Christmas celebrations, there will be no 12:00 Noon Mass for Sunday December 24th)
Due to the tight schedule, we need lots of hands in decorating the church, Guyot Hall, the Religious Education building and the parish grounds. Call the parish office for details on how to help.
Let’s take a look ahead to the Christmas schedule. Our Christmas Mass schedule is as follows: Sunday, December. 24th, Christmas Eve: 5:00 pm 8:00 pm and 12 midnight; Monday, December. 25th, Christmas Day: 8:00 am and 10:00 am.
With all those masses we will be stretched thin on ministers to help cover the many needs of the Christmas Liturgy. In particular I am asking our Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion to please sign up to assist at one (or two) masses if at all possible. Same goes for our Sacristans, Acolytes, Altar Servers, Ushers and Greeters. We will have a lot of visitors with us this Christmas season and we need your presence, please.
God Bless,
Fr. Reginald Samuels