Dear Friends,
This coming Thursday will be our Thanksgiving Day! Last year we were in shutdown with the pandemic and this year we are freer to move about. Still, in our gratitude we want to be wise in our movements for our health and everyone else’s.
We will have two liturgies to consider for everyone who is not out of town or traveling. Wednesday night, November 24th, the day before Thanksgiving there will be mass at 7:00 PM at Saint Catherine of Siena. On Thanksgiving morning there will be a mass at the Church of the Transfiguration at 9 AM. Whatever mass you attend please bring some food that you will have on your table to be blessed. Many times folks bring rolls, bread or some pastry to be blessed. Some folks even bring something extra that could be given/shared with someone attending mass who may have not brought anything.
I do hope you will join us as we thank the Lord for all the blessings we have received. I think of the goodness of our wonderful communities coming together with the words of Saint Paul. In the first chapter of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul says “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” His sentiment is also in my heart and spirit for each and everyone of you.
Thanksgiving quickly rolls over into our first Sunday of Advent. Whew! And we know how quickly Advent will roll into the Christmas season!
Something for you to consider in this hectic/busy time of year is an offering from Dr. Sr. Barbara A. Moore, RSM.
Barbara will be offering four presentations for our Advent. All gatherings will be on Saturdays at 10 AM at Saint Catherine of Siena in the church. Her reflections will be taken from Luke’s Gospel. On November 27th (Thanksgiving weekend and the beginning of Advent) Barb will look at Luke and his sources, context, importance and focus. On December 4th , she will speak about Zacharia, Elizabeth and Joseph exploring their similarities, differences, roles, the two annunciation and two birth stories! On December 11th the focus of the entire presentation will be on Mary, the wife of Joseph and the mother of Jesus. The final gathering, on December 18th
will have us explore the importance and meaning of the Incarnation.
As many of you know, Barbara is well respected in her breaking open the Word of the Lord. I hope you can attend one, two, three or perhaps all four gatherings. These talks will be livestreamed as well. You can go to www.saintcath.org to participate.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day and I hope to see you in church!
Blessings,
Father Rob