From Bishop Lucia
Christmas Letter 2022
Christmas Letter 2022
A Note from Father Dan
With Advent we begin another liturgical year, another year of grace. There is a singular beauty to Advent in the church, it invites us to calm down and remove ourselves from the hectic pace in our preparation to celebrate Christmas, although it is good and necessary to prepare for Christmas, Advent invites us to prepare spiritually for the coming of Christ. If we pay attention we see the sights and sounds of Advent in the liturgy sets the scene for quiet reflection; there is no Gloria at Mass, the music is more subdued and the liturgical color is violet. The Advent wreath is the visible reminder of the waiting in expectation for the coming of Jesus, as the ‘light of the world’.
I would like to offer some suggestions as how each of us can prepare spiritually during Advent. Have a family Advent Wreath and light it together each evening with the appropriate prayers; think about attending our Advent Parish Mission; use the Advent books that are provided with daily reflections and activities; and make a special effort to bring the entire family to Confession before celebrating the birth of Christ. However you and your family choose to celebrate Advent, ember: “Come, Lord Jesus” is our hope, not only for Advent and Christmas, but for our entire life’s journey.
God Bless, Fr. Dan
Each year we set aside a day to pay special tribute to the Veterans who have served us in the Military, and especially we recall those who were injured or gave their life so that we might enjoy our liberties. It was the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month that the guns of August went silent bringing an end to the hostilities that came to be called World War I. This was proclaimed to be the end of all wars because no one could fathom the horror of the destruction, maiming and loss of life that this war inflicted on so many would never be repeated. Yet, humankind did not learn the lesson of World War I, and in fact over the rest of the 20th century and into the 21st century there has been more and and greater carnage and violence as people still turn to violence and nations to war to resolve their differences. I would like to suggest that if we return to our God, honor His name, keep His commandments and embrace the dignity of each and every human person as a child of God and therefore our brother or sister we could go a long way to finally achieving that peace of which Jesus spoke and the Gospel proclaims; the peace that only Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace can give. May the peace of the Lord be always with you.
God Bless, Fr. Dan
The Church of St. Michael and St. Peter’s Book & Bake Sale is November 4-6 in the church basement. Hours are 9-6 Friday and Saturday and 8-1 on Sunday. A small amount of Haitian oil drum art is available for purchase.
Thank you to all who worked so hard and participated in the First Annual Fr. Mike Donovan Memorial Golf outing Scholarship event. It was a huge success (even though the wind was cold) the experience, as well as raising money for a scholarship, was a wonderful social and community building event. I would like to thank you all individually by name but am afraid that I would leave someone out so Thank you all and God Bless you, Fr. Dan.
Click here to see pictures of this wonderful event!
A special thank you to Nightingales, Tim’s Pumpkin Patch, Lakeside Vista, Pearl Lakes Golf Course, Farrell’s Auto, and Nojaim’s for helping with raffle donations!
A HOLE IN YOUR HEART –
MOVING THROUGH GRIEF
Monday
Nov. 14
10 am – 3pm
500 Brookford Rd., Syracuse, 13224
Register at
www.ctkretreat.com
or call 315-446-2680