A Thanksgiving Day prayer to be shared and prayed:
Dear God, we thank you for this meal and for all the hands that helped prepare it. We give you thanks most of all for the gift of your Son, Jesus. Please bless the food we eat, all who are gathered today to share it, and all our loved ones who can't be with us today. Amen. May the Lord bless your time with family and friends. And may you have safe travels to and from home this upcoming holiday. A few announcements: Advent Daily Reflection Booklets … The season of Advent begins next Sunday. Please help yourself to a booklet found on the table in the gathering space.
Advent Sung Vespers (Evening Prayer) … This Evening Prayer of the Church will be held along with Adoration and Benediction on Monday, December 2, 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 church sanctuary for the Christmas season. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd … The December Atrium sessions will be held at 8:30 a.m. on the 15th and 22nd.
Lectors Workbooks … For 2025 have arrived. They can be found on the table in the gathering space. Parish Directory Photos … Did you miss your opportunity to take a photo for the Parish Directory? No problem! Please email the following to Jillian Snyder ([email protected]) by November 29.
Family Photo
Family Names (first and last names of all family members in the photo)
Address (optional)
Phone (optional)
Email (optional)
Announcements at Mass … At a recent meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council, we had a conversation about the most appropriate time for announcements on Sunday. It was decided that rather than stopping the celebration of Mass, beginning on the First Sunday of Advent (December 1), any parish announcements would be made AFTER THE CLOSING HYMN ENDS. At that time a member of the Parish Pastoral Council will ask if there are any announcements before everyone leaves for coffee and or heads home.
Thanksgiving … We will celebrate Mass at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 28 to thank God for the many blessings that we’ve received this past year.
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 and sending them to you, if they’re not going to be used, isn’t a responsible use of parish finances.
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 on December 8 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!
After School Tutoring … Is free and will be offered every Thursday from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. in our parish hall. For more information, please contact Michael Busk at (574) 216-6577. Sale of Holy Land Items … On Sunday, December 1, our brothers and sisters representing the Land of Peace mission, a nonprofit organization, will be with us speaking about the Christian situation in the Holy Land and selling crucifixes, religious artwork, and rosaries – all made of olive wood which is native to Israel and Bethlehem. Since tourism has greatly decreased, Christian families in the Holy Land, who depend on tourists, have been greatly affected. The goal of this mission is to help the poor and needy families in Bethlehem and Jerusalem. The sale of these items will help them and give you the opportunity to have something authentic from the Holy Land. You might also find some good Christmas gifts! For more information, visit www.landofpeace.org. Pope’s Intention for the Month of November … For anyone who has lost a child. We pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community and receive peace and consolation from the Holy Spirit. Saint of the Week … St. Andrew (November 30) was the brother of Simon Peter and a disciple of John the Baptist. Tradition holds that St. Andrew preached north of the Black Sea and in Greece. He died bound to an X-shaped cross, at Patras, Greece. He is the patron saint of Scotland and the fishing industry.