We made it through the Christmas Holy Day/Holiday and now the New Year’s celebrations commence; funny to think that 2020 looms upon us. Does it seem that long ago that we were caught up in the Y2K furor and all of the excitement related to the new millennium? Now we stand on the cusp of the third decade of the century (although, technically the new decade doesn’t start until 2021). Read more.
Allow me to extend sincere “thank you” for your remarkable generosity this Advent Season. The Narthex was overflowing with gifts to fulfill the commitments we made this year. It is sad that such a need still exists, but as long as it does, we will be there to make someone’s celebration of Christmas a joyous and grateful one. Read more.
As I wrote in the bulletin a few weeks ago, the nature of charitable giving has changed significantly over the past few years. As the end of the year is upon us, many of us seek avenues compatible with our philanthropic interests. Your continual dedication to St. Benedict’s Church and School shows that we are in your scope, but for understandably grave reasons, you might be hesitant to make an undedicated gift to the parish outside of your regular envelope contribution. To be blunt, many are concerned that money from ordinary parish income is being used by the diocese to pay for settlements from lawsuits. While this is not the case, the reticence of many to be as generous as usual or as they might want to be, is often clearly stated, and definitely very real. Read more.
Advent moves quickly. This Sunday we are wearing the rose colored vestments as a sign that the penitential period is almost at an end. We are called to “Rejoice” this day, for the Day of the Lord is near at hand. Read more.
What a blessed beginning to Advent! Let us keep the momentum going. The Daily Reflection is still available, if you didn’t get a start last week, it isn’t too late to pick up the book and spend some time each day reflecting on the meaning of the seasons of Advent and Christmas. Read more.
Happy Advent! The season of Advent draws our focus to repentance and renewal in our lives in anticipation of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. While on the one hand we are looking forward to Christmas – the annual celebration of the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity in the person of Jesus of Nazareth some two-thousand years ago – we are also looking at the preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus as the Judge of the World at the end of the age. The first image is rife with sentiment, the second sounds more ominous and fearful. Both images and both responses are honest and to be expected. Read more.