Beloved of God and of this parish:
Here is an UPDATE of what is making news in our parish this week and will be making news in the coming weeks.
1. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19: [THREE EVENTS]
This is the last Vestry meeting of the year. Vestrymembers are encouraged to attend MASS that day and stay for the meeting.
- It is time to renew our COMMITMENT to God, our family and our non-parish community. It would be helpful if we have all pledge/commitment cards by the First Sunday of Christmas so we can complete the budget process by year's end. If you have not already received your pledge/commitment card, please talk with Phyllis after Mass on Sunday or arrange to have your card sent to you in the course of next week. Please, remember to pick your box of pledge envelopes after Mass on Sunday. Our pledges and commitments make the ministries of this parish and mission to partner with God in the rebuilding of lives and his world possible. God generously gives us his Son to be our redeemer, let us give generously to support his reign and his work in our lifetime. We are grateful for your commitment to this cause to the glory of God.
- Decorating for Christmas: If you can help with decorating the church in readiness for Christmas, show up during the week between Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks for any help you can give.
- During coffee-hour, we will celebrate the 82nd birthday of Gerda Morinaka. Please, surprise and congratulate her if you can.
2. CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE:
- MASS on Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24 will be at 8pm
- MASS on Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25 will be at 10am
- MASS on First Sunday after Christmas Day will be at 10am to be followed with our signature potluck brunch. Please, bring whatever you can by way of main dish, desserts, gifts for the children of the parish and a joyful spirit.
- NEW YEAR'S EVE: Friday, December 31. Church will be opened from 10pm to Midnight for private prayer and meditation. The sacrifice of the Mass will not be offered during this period.
- NEW YEAR'S DAY: Saturday, January 1. MASS of the HOLY NAME will be offered at 9am.
Please, plan on attending as many of the above events as you can and bring your friends to join in the celebrations. NO CELEBRATION IS COMPLETE AND JOYOUS WITHOUT OUR FRIENDS.
3. COMING EVENTS IN JANUARY 2011:
- Sunday, January 2: Second Sunday after Christmas Day
- Sunday, January 9: First Sunday after the Epiphany (Baptism of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST). The youth of the parish will lead the Offertory and Presentation of the Gifts with the traditional gifts presented by the wisemen (wise-persons). It is time to support our children in their spiritual formation as we each present out life as gifts to God.
- Sunday, January 16: First Vestry meeting of 2011 and time to hear our audit reports in preparation for the annual Parish General Meeting.
- Sunday, January 23: Our ANNUAL PARISH GENERAL MEETING. The first in the potluck-brunch series. We need someone to coordinate this event - setting up, designing meeting hall with appropriate signage, food and to encourage active parish-wide participation. It will look good on your resume as Events Organizer or Coordinator. If you can help, please, call Phyllis in the parish office ASAP.
- Sunday, January 30: Our first PARISH FORUM for 2011. We will have conversations around the book:"Living a Eucharistic Spirituality" by Oscar Lukefahr, C.M. If you have not already bought your copy, buy your copy now for ONLY$2. See Phyllis or Fr. Shamo.
4: THANK YOU
In spite of global and economic challenges that faced us and many in 2010, all of us have remained faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, generously supported the ministries of this parish and the reign of God. Our individual and collective prayers, our presence at Mass and parish events, our faithfulness have transformed many lives; your parish leadership team and me personally are grateful for your witness. Let us strive even much more harder in this discipleship project in the coming year.
See you at Mass with your life-enhancing stories, your anxieties and a willing attitude to permit God to transform these to his honor and glory. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY, ALWAYS!!
Fr. Shamo
www.stmarypalms.org
