It’s almost sad to have to draw the Christmas season to a close this weekend with the celebration of the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. We return to the Ordinary Time of the Year, for several weeks until March, when we open the Lenten season, but it is hardly an ordinary year, since we are celebrating our 70th anniversary as a parish! On Monday, we’ll take down the decorations that so enhanced our church these past several weeks, so we’re looking for volunteers again to dismantle the trees and wreaths. We’ll start immediately after the 8:30 am Morning Mass, and offer lunch to all those who wish to help us in this project.

Thanks to the generosity of our “First Responders” to the Annual Ferrer Fund appeal, we have received several wonderful donations from our parishioners (both full-time and part-time). These will begin to make a difference in covering any deficits incurred in operating our parish school and church. To date, we have received 48 AFF gifts, totaling over $32,000, towards this year’s goal of $650,000!

Our children are depending upon us for the improvements to our school and the upgrades needed to keep our school the wonderful institution it has become, especially with the advances we have made these past few years.***

***By the way, in your gift-giving, did you know that the President recently signed into law the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Realization and Job Creation Act of 2010? This law restores the popular IRA Charitable Rollover, retroactively for 2010, and will keep it in place for 2011. Those who have not yet taken their 2010 mandatory distribution, now have until the end of January to make tax-free, roll-over contribution to a qualified charity [such as the Annual Ferrer Fund], and have it “count” toward their 2010 taxes.

The same conditions apply as in years past (donor must be age 70 1/2 or older, limit of $100,000 per individual). If you have not yet taken your mandatory distribution, please consider taking advantage of this giving opportunity. It will be a wonderful help for meeting our needs. May God bless those who selflessly give from their blessings, so that we can continue to develop our parish resources, and to promote our future growth. For more details, consult your tax advisor.

The fascinating “Fact or Fiction: The Dead Sea Scrolls” presentation by Scripture Scholar, Dr. Emilio G.

Chavez, biblical professor at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary, will be Wednesday, January19th, in our Kellaghan Hall, followed by a chance to meet him at a reception to follow the session. Though there’s no charge for attendance, please call 276-6892 to reserve a seat.

During the next few weeks, there will be a plethora of spiritual opportunities planned to help us mark our

70th anniversary with pride, celebrating so many of the blessings lavished upon us by God. Our annual Parish Mission, led by Father Patrick Martin, a well-known leader of retreats throughout the country, will take place from February 6th to the 9th. I’m asking the all men, women and youth of our parish, including our seasonal and regular members, to set aside time to participate in the services each evening (and the morning Masses, where possible).

The Diocese of Palm Beach will present its annual Catholic Men for Jesus Rally on Saturday, January 29th. In addition to Bishop Barbarito, our featured guests will include noted Catholic author and dynamic

speaker, Matthew Kelly (who really lit up the crowds when he spoke in our parish and at Pope John Paul II High School last year). This is an opportunity for fathers and sons (12 years old and up) and other men to bond in the presence of Jesus, go to Confession, pray the Rosary, and to participate in Bishop Barbarito’s uplifting closing Mass at the Cathedral.

Our parish Coordinator is Jamie Lesane at 376-4278 or jlesane@me.com. Our annual Men’s retreat at Our Lady of Florida Retreat Center will be from Feb. 4th to 6th, and the Women’s Retreat will be from March 11th to 13th. The theme is: “Love Casts Out Fear.” For more information, call Dave Heninger (278-9069) or David Schmidt (665-1107) for the Men’s retreat, and Deborah Dowd (276-3991) for the Women’s retreats.

Very Rev. Canon Tom