Today (January 1st), besides beginning the New Year, we celebrate the Solemn Feast of Mary, Mother of God. In actuality, this is one of the oldest Marian celebrations in the Christian calendar, but somehow slipped into obscurity for many generations. Revived by Pope Paul VI, this feast now stands at the head of the calendar year, although, not the liturgical calendar (which began on the 1st Sunday of Advent). We invoke the intercession of Mary as we begin our New Year. This year, on January 8th, we will celebrate the greatest feast of the Christmas season, the Epiphany (also called the Feast of the Three Kings, and “Little Christmas,” a real misnomer, for it should be the “Great Christmas!”). Then we will conclude our 12 days of Christmas, which will end on January 9th, the Baptism of Our Lord. Afterwards, we’ll revert to Ordinary Time, until we begin Lent.
Thank you for your generous contribution to our annual Christmas collection. Though final figures are not in, our Christmas collection, thus far, is over $55,000 this year, with promises of more gifts to be received. Though we lost out on a Sunday collection this year because of the occurrence of Christmas Day on a Sunday, your generous gift to make up for that loss closes us in nearer to last year’s double opportunity to give. Additional gifts for tax write-off purposes will also help close the financial gap. May you be rewarded by Our Lord for your continuous help and support of our parish!
I express my hearty “Thank you” to the men, women and teens who help set up all the Christmas decorations in our church this year. Many of our out-of-town visitors expressed comments such as “stunning” and “inspiring” regarding the beauty of the arrangement. I hope the flowers will last through the Christmas season, and I thank you for your support in paying for their purchase. I also express my gratitude to Bill Stafford and the Adult Choir, along with solo members of our Liturgical Music group that brought such delight to our parishioners and visitors with their musical enhancement of the Masses here. It seems that they took special effort during the Advent season to truly prepare for the celebration of Christmas at St. Vincent, and brought much joy to the people who participated at Mass on Christmas. The extra hard work of practicing and rehearsing truly “paid off” this year.
The following “Thank You” note comes from Rami Qumsieh, of the Catholic Palestinian community, who spoke recently in our church about the plight of Catholics and other Christians in the Holy Land.
“I am very pleased that many of you took the time to come to meet me after Mass. Your community – Msgr. Skindeleski, other priests and deacons-- made me feel very welcome and appreciated. So many of you gave me kind and sincere words of gratitude; your kindness to this cause is very humbling. I know if enough of us become aware of this issue, a solution will be at hand quickly. I appreciate that many of you purchased the religious articles that were available.
Many Christian Palestinians will soon be hard at work to replenish what you purchased, and more. This, in turn, creates a virtuous cycle of simple commerce, all because of those who chose to participate. Thanks!
Please remember, money is part of stewardship. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer. Now that you know we exist and realize our natural role in the family of Christ, please pray, and ask others to pray for us, as well.
I pray that our Prince of Peace will always protect the Christian character of the Holy Land for generations to come. Please visit our website, www.HolyLandDirect.com and feel free to drop me a note; I read them all.
Wishing you blessings in the Christmas season and a holy New Year, Rami Qumsieh.”
Next weekend, we will hold the elections for vacancies on the Parish Pastoral Council for the coming year. The names of the candidates to be elected are posted on the church doors and the lobby of our Parish Family Life Center. They include Phil Bukowski, Kit Johansen, John Lynch, Frank Manfredonia and Joe Mastrullo. All registered adults (18 or over) will have an opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choice after the Masses next weekend. They will serve as advisors for me in making certain decisions that affect the life of our parish family. Here’s your chance to get the representative you feel will best serve in this role.
That same day (Jan 8th), we will also hold the pre-Festival Raffle for those who have already purchased their $100 raffle ticket. You will again have a chance to win big at the Festival in February (24, 25, 26). The raffle, to be held in the Family Life Center, will follow the last morning Mass. I wish you Good Luck!!!
Our Ferrer Fund begins its new year for a major support of our parish school and our church. The past year’s total, as of December 27th, was $150,432.75, with pledges still being honored totaling $4,300. Even though we had originally hoped to reach a higher set goal, most of the figure is based on gifts for the first half of the year, rather than the full year (since we began the program in the calendar year 2011). Our scheduling of this year’s goal coincides, for the most part, with the academic year of our school, which began last August and ends around May 31st, though this year’s challenge will continue until the end of the fiscal year, June 30th. Your past gift is so well appreciated, making possible the improvements already being utilized in the school, and that makes a difference in the way our children receive a quality education. Thank you for your gracious assist in meeting the needs of our parish.
Thank you for your generous contribution to our annual Christmas collection. Though final figures are not in, our Christmas collection, thus far, is over $55,000 this year, with promises of more gifts to be received. Though we lost out on a Sunday collection this year because of the occurrence of Christmas Day on a Sunday, your generous gift to make up for that loss closes us in nearer to last year’s double opportunity to give. Additional gifts for tax write-off purposes will also help close the financial gap. May you be rewarded by Our Lord for your continuous help and support of our parish!
I express my hearty “Thank you” to the men, women and teens who help set up all the Christmas decorations in our church this year. Many of our out-of-town visitors expressed comments such as “stunning” and “inspiring” regarding the beauty of the arrangement. I hope the flowers will last through the Christmas season, and I thank you for your support in paying for their purchase. I also express my gratitude to Bill Stafford and the Adult Choir, along with solo members of our Liturgical Music group that brought such delight to our parishioners and visitors with their musical enhancement of the Masses here. It seems that they took special effort during the Advent season to truly prepare for the celebration of Christmas at St. Vincent, and brought much joy to the people who participated at Mass on Christmas. The extra hard work of practicing and rehearsing truly “paid off” this year.
The following “Thank You” note comes from Rami Qumsieh, of the Catholic Palestinian community, who spoke recently in our church about the plight of Catholics and other Christians in the Holy Land.
“I am very pleased that many of you took the time to come to meet me after Mass. Your community – Msgr. Skindeleski, other priests and deacons-- made me feel very welcome and appreciated. So many of you gave me kind and sincere words of gratitude; your kindness to this cause is very humbling. I know if enough of us become aware of this issue, a solution will be at hand quickly. I appreciate that many of you purchased the religious articles that were available.
Many Christian Palestinians will soon be hard at work to replenish what you purchased, and more. This, in turn, creates a virtuous cycle of simple commerce, all because of those who chose to participate. Thanks!
Please remember, money is part of stewardship. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer. Now that you know we exist and realize our natural role in the family of Christ, please pray, and ask others to pray for us, as well.
I pray that our Prince of Peace will always protect the Christian character of the Holy Land for generations to come. Please visit our website, www.HolyLandDirect.com and feel free to drop me a note; I read them all.
Wishing you blessings in the Christmas season and a holy New Year, Rami Qumsieh.”
Next weekend, we will hold the elections for vacancies on the Parish Pastoral Council for the coming year. The names of the candidates to be elected are posted on the church doors and the lobby of our Parish Family Life Center. They include Phil Bukowski, Kit Johansen, John Lynch, Frank Manfredonia and Joe Mastrullo. All registered adults (18 or over) will have an opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choice after the Masses next weekend. They will serve as advisors for me in making certain decisions that affect the life of our parish family. Here’s your chance to get the representative you feel will best serve in this role.
That same day (Jan 8th), we will also hold the pre-Festival Raffle for those who have already purchased their $100 raffle ticket. You will again have a chance to win big at the Festival in February (24, 25, 26). The raffle, to be held in the Family Life Center, will follow the last morning Mass. I wish you Good Luck!!!
Our Ferrer Fund begins its new year for a major support of our parish school and our church. The past year’s total, as of December 27th, was $150,432.75, with pledges still being honored totaling $4,300. Even though we had originally hoped to reach a higher set goal, most of the figure is based on gifts for the first half of the year, rather than the full year (since we began the program in the calendar year 2011). Our scheduling of this year’s goal coincides, for the most part, with the academic year of our school, which began last August and ends around May 31st, though this year’s challenge will continue until the end of the fiscal year, June 30th. Your past gift is so well appreciated, making possible the improvements already being utilized in the school, and that makes a difference in the way our children receive a quality education. Thank you for your gracious assist in meeting the needs of our parish.
Very Rev. Canon Tom
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