I hope that all of you had a very blessed, happy and a merry Christmas.  Mine was very enjoyable, especially the celebrations of the Eucharist with all those present.  I admit that when the last mass was over on Christmas day I was tired, and sitting in the chair and unwinding for a bit was most relaxing.  I thought of all of the people who came to mass—families gathered for the holiday, persons who we have not seen in a long time, parishioners who came back to their home parish, visitors, strangers, people not of our faith, all gathered to thank God for the blessings received and to celebrate Christmas.  I wanted in the homilies to stress what a blessing we have in Christ, our faith, and our church, and how we bring God’s blessings to others.  I hope a little of it brought some change into our lives.  It did for me.  After resting, saying my breviary, I was off to the family gathering.  I am the “Turkey Carver” for the family—since before 1980.  I also ended up slicing, or carving, a whole bone in ham.  I earn my meals Christmas!  But it was fun and satisfying.  I hope your day was one full of blessings and happiness!

 

Again, thanks for all of the nice cards and remembrances—cookies, gifts, etc.!  I can really go to pot now, or at least, for a while.

 

As I write this, it is Thursday, and we have our Red Cross Blood Drive this afternoon.  I am not able to give any statistics on its success.  I can only hope and pray that it is successful, and want to thank all who helped make it a success.  I can tell you the final results at mass.  HOWEVER, WE HAVE OUR MAKE-UP BLOOD DRIVE THIS COMING SATURDAY FROM 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M. IN THE SCHOOL CAFETERIA.  If perchance you could not make this past Thursday, please come Saturday and give blood.  When we give blood, we give life, and we save a life, or help save a life of someone who is seriously ill—much worse than we would want to be at any time.  The doctors, the sick, the hospitals, all are asking you to give blood so that they can do their lifesaving work.

 

Tuesday is NEW YEARS DAY—JANUARY 1st.   It is a Holy Day of Obligation.  We will be having mass on Monday evening (New Years Eve) at 5:30 P.M. and on New Year's Day at 9:00 A.M.  Start your year off with Christ!  We do not know what the new year holds for us. We can anticipate some events, such as anniversaries, weddings, births, etc.  However, all of this depends on how life unfolds for all of us, be it illness, deaths, transfers, employment, accidents, etc.  We need and want God’s blessings, and good fortune in our lives.  However, we have to give of ourselves, do our share, to allow them to happen.  Make the New Year resolution:  TO GROW IN THE LOVE OF GOD, TO APPRECIATE OUR BLESSINGS FROM GOD, AND TO LIVE OUR FAITH BETTER.  Ask God to show you His way, His plan for you, and then try to do it.  May God bless you!

 

2007 went fast.  Much happened with the Sesquicentennial events, and also brought new faces and hands to see them through.  I thank all the persons who gave so generously of their time, talent, and treasure this past year for the Sesquicentennial, and also for all of the parish events and activities.  If we all work together, do our share, great things will happen because God will be with us and help us.  Praise God!  Praise all His Saints!

 

 

Christmas & New Year Break

We will not have classes on December 30th.

Classes will resume on January 6th.

Have a blessed and peace filled Christmas and a Happy and healthy New year.