Sunday, January 1, 2017

Parish Bulletin Article: "Goodbye 2016 and welcome 2017!": January 1st, 2017

Goodbye 2016 and welcome 2017! 

Before I mention some thoughts for a new year, remember that Christmas is still going.  Christmas continues, not only on December 25th, but also December 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st and January 1st (of 2017).  Christmas is eight days called “an octave” festivity.  (If anyone has not sent their letters or gifts to family, friends or relatives [like me] just know that your Christmas gifts can still be on time until January 1st!).

Another cool part of the eight days is The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.  This is the last day for Christmas during this weekend Masses.  Boom.

Now into 2017…Our culture typically reminds us to decide goals for the New Year: exercising, eating well, quitting habits, etc.  This is a good way to begin new goals.

I would encourage you to think about another goal: ways to serve our Mass.  As your pastor, we do need more servers, musicians, sacristans and Eucharistic Ministers.  These are crucial for our family in Mass and here are a few reasons why we need them:
 
·      Servers assist the priest during Mass itself.  I would like to challenge high school, junior high and elementary students to provide your time and talent to work our liturgy. 
·      Musicians offer their talents to add the beauty of music to worship God.  This is a mission for the laity in our Church and can help our whole family to pray. 
·      Sacristans prepare the “stuff” needed for Mass: bread and wine, water, chalice, cruets, garments, etc. 
·      Eucharistic Ministers reverently distribute Jesus’ Body and Blood during Mass or to offer communion to brothers and sisters who cannot make it to Mass (eg. in the hospital, assistant homes, nursing homes, etc.).
 
Please consider a gift for our liturgy as 2017 begins.  Know that these would be taught well by our parishioners and/or me.

Know of my prayers and I hope it will be a happy New Year!

God Bless!


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