NOW IT CAN BE TOLD—Early bulletin deadlines prevented me from timely comments here since well before Christmas, and after then too. Now I can remark on our beautiful services and devout, joyful celebrations. Our crowds were strong, especially for Christmas Eve 5:00 and 10:00 P.M., but also in the morning. Most striking first were the “decorations”, really referred to as Environment. Each year familiar elements reappear, like the bunting down the sides and the back; and always some new elements. A family new to this work arranged the nativity scene, with others helping. It’s become
a beloved little shrine area to kneel or stand and pray. A scenario like this is inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, who encouraged us to look at the figures and imagine ourselves as one of them. Thanks to those who again worked to provide all this, and many flowers too.
Of course so much of the work for these celebrations is done by our music ministers. Various choirs and cantors and musicians put in much more time rehearsing ahead of time than the time the services actually last. Behind the scenes Heather Martin Cooper made excellent Mass pamphlets for every Sunday, every Christmas feast, and several funerals too. The music during our services then was quite outstanding, from both our children’s and adult choirs and cantors, with handbells and chimes. Our gratitude goes out to these Music and Environment groups, as well as the ushers, servers, and liturgical ministers who did outstanding and generous service.
Our crowds were patient with major glitches like faulty heat and no running water. These have been addressed and mostly resolved, with a final part for the major heat system still to come. Of course it was the bitter pre-Christmas cold that burst a main pipe, spread water generously, and shut off our water system, and this too is resolved.
AND HERE WE Go—This weekend we celebrate the wonder-filled feast of Epiphany, the Revelation To the World. And now we go into the January re-start of all our programs and meetings. We need to resume the good momentum we had going into Christmas. Thanks for participating as you can, and please be patient with each other as we again share rooms and times.
Fr. Sebastian