Pastor's Note: November 24, 2024

Dear friends,

We’ll celebrate the Eucharist (a Greek word meaning thanksgiving) on Thanksgiving Thursday at 8am. The Eucharistic Assembly gathers to give Thanks to the Father for the Salvific Work of Jesus Christ.  Salvific work that not only heals (Salvation is a Greek word meaning to heal) but also Reconciles, Renews, Strengthens, and Deepens our relationship with the Most Holy Trinity. Everything else we enjoy, for which we take an entire day to rest and give Thanks, comes from our Covenantal Relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So, join us for Mass before you put the turkey in the oven! (The Collection that day will go to our parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society to take care of the poor as we enter into the winter months.)

Next Sunday, December 1 will be the First Sunday of Advent. Christmas this year is in the middle of the Fourth Week of Advent and so the liturgical season seems shortened; only 24 days of Advent. There are many opportunities for faith- and devotional-enrichment during the season of Advent. I want to invite you to one such opportunity happening on Tuesday, December 3 at 7pm in church. Check this out:

The Celebration of the Eucharist (also known as Mass, “going to church”, the Eucharistic Assembly, et.al.) is, as the Catechism says, “the source and summit of the Christian Life”. Yet the majority of Catholic Christians (some studies say as many as 80%) don’t attend on a regular basis (meaning every Sunday, as the Lord commands and Tradition puts forth). Even more mysterious is this sentiment offered by Catholic podcaster, evangelist and thinker Chris Stefanik: a troubling fact is that most Catholics don’t know why they go to church.  In my experience as a life-long Catholic with a checkered past in my devotional life, I find this to be irrefutably accurate. As a priest and pastor, I’ve discovered that it confirms conversations I’ve had at wedding receptions or even as I wait in line at the grocery story. So, I want to lean into this. I want to preach and teach this!  

Friends: mark your calendar, cancel your plans, take a break from driving the kids to another sports practice and join me in church on Tuesday, December 3 at 7pm for a 75-90 minute provocative, inspiring, educational, challenging, and prayerful presentation on the Source and Summit of our Christian Life.  If you or someone you know is someone who doesn’t come to church or if you or they come and don’t know why, then bring them and yourself to this presentation. I promise you it won’t be a waste of time!  We won’t celebrate the Eucharist, but there will be cookies! So, if nothing else, come for free cookies! 

Know that you are loved dearly and prayed for daily.