The first line of the Responsorial Psalm on Thursday began, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good …” I’m always struck by this line when it comes up at Mass, or in the Liturgy of the Hours which a priest prays five times a day. Again, the psalmist proclaimed, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.”
We’re told to give thanks because our Lord is good to us. Indeed, he is! On Thanksgiving we counted our blessings. You might have done it as part of your family prayer before partaking of the food. You might have done it during your personal prayer that day. I begin each day by giving thanks to God before I climb out of bed to begin my day. “Thank you, Lord, for this new day,” are the first words that come from my lips as I turn to the Lord in the early hours of the day. I end each day by offering a prayer of thanksgiving acknowledging God’s goodness experienced in many ways.
Do you take the time each day to “give thanks to the Lord?” Are you finding time to list all that has happened between waking and sleeping to thank the Lord for another day, your family, caring friends, the food on your table, good health, and your faith? Are you sitting in silence to acknowledge that we have comes from God who is love?
The Advent season is a beautiful time to renew our relationship with the Lord. As we move through these four weeks, we’re given this beautiful opportunity to prepare our hearts for the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord. This is also a wonderful time to take a spiritual inventory of what this past year has been about for you. Have you grown closer to the Lord this year? Has your faith deepened? Have you become more aware of the ways that God has blessed you and continues to bless you?
I offer that line as a way to center your prayer this week. Find time during this Second Week of Advent to “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.” Thank God for your blessings and ask Him to help you be a blessing to others this week.
A few announcements:
Boilers … The boilers in the basement and parish hall were fixed this week. I apologize for the lack of heat last Sunday. I’m eternally grateful to Micah Towery and Peter Smith who stepped up to help work through this issue with the company that services our boilers. They took this off of my plate this week and THANK YOU doesn’t adequately convey the depth of my appreciation for all that they did for the parish! Immaculate Conception … This is a holy day of obligation. We will celebrate Mass at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, December 9.
Retirement Fund for Religious … This collection helps religious communities care for senior members, and we will hear from Sr. Veronica Fajardo, C.S.C. from St. Mary’s College. The second collection will be this Sunday and there are envelopes in your packets. You can also place a check in the collection with a note on the memo line directing your donation to this fund. THANK YOU for your generosity! Virtual Advent Retreat … Offered by the Congregation of Holy Cross. Go to adventretreat.holycrossusa.org to learn more and register.
Advent Sung Vespers (Evening Prayer) … This Evening Prayer of the Church will be held along with Adoration and Benediction on Monday, December 9 and 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Parish (Wilber Street) and Sung Vespers on Sunday, December 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Flower Envelopes … Are available on the table in the gathering space. THANK YOU for helping us beautify the sanctuary for the Christmas season.
Christmas Masses … We will celebrate our Christmas Eve Mass at 4:00 p.m. (Gospel Choir) with the Children’s Pageant starting at 3:45 p.m., and our Christmas Day Mass at 10:00 a.m. Parish Christmas Social … Will be held on Sunday, December 15. Everyone is invited to the social which will be held in the parish hall after Mass. The social includes a potluck meal, Christmas carols, and the hanging of family ornaments on the Christmas tree. St. Vincent de Paul Giving Tree … To donate a gift for a child in need, please choose a gift tag from the Giving Tree in the gathering space or contact Annie Tardy at: ([email protected]). You’re asked to return the wrapped gift with the tag attached by Sunday, Dec 15. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd … The December Atrium sessions will be held at 8:30 a.m. on the 15th and 22nd.
Parish Envelopes … As of 2025 your parish envelopes will mailed to your homes each month rather than picking up a box with a year’s worth of envelopes. It was the decision of the Finance Council to make this change hoping that it will help us maintain a regular weekly income. If you do NOT use the envelopes, I’d kindly ask you to let me know so that you can be removed. The envelopes are an expense to the parish. If you haven’t been using the envelopes, and are not planning to do so next year, please let me know so that you can be removed. Sending out unnecessary envelopes isn’t a responsible use of parish finances. I appreciate the emails that I’ve already received from those parishioners who donate but do so without using the envelopes.
Miriam’s Blessing … Is a diocesan peer-mentor ministry that provides comprehensive support to parents who receive a difficult prenatal diagnosis, whether it is the detection of a chronic condition, or a life-threatening disorder. Support for parents carrying to term spans the pregnancy, the birth, and the postpartum period. Peer ministers and volunteers are screened, trained, and work in teams. To expectant parents, they offer unique insight and sensitivity regarding such difficult issues as mourning the loss of the anticipated baby, maintaining hope when a prognosis is poor, and neonatal critical care. For more information, go to diocesefwsb.org/miriamsblessing. Pope’s Intention for the Month of December … For pilgrims of hope. We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope. Saint of the Week … Saint Lucy (December 13) was martyred in Sicily during the 3rd century under the rule of Diocletian. Because of her name she is the patroness of those afflicted with diseases of the eyes. St. Lucy is associated with festivals of light, especially in Scandinavia.