Dear friends,
The flip of a calendar doesn’t necessarily mark anything special, but it does afford the opportunity to stop and “take stock” of what’s going on. That change of calendars happened last Friday, and so it is a good time to take that stock.
Firstly, to recognize blessings and say thanks. The first reading of the Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, New Year’s Day, begins “Say to them (the Israelites): ‘The Lord bless you and keep you.” We here at OLMC are so blessed in so many ways. One of those blessings is the people who are so good to us, sharing their time and talents.
A big thank you is owed to the members of our Music Ministry, who helped frame the beauty of the season with the traditional sounds of Christmas, both at the concert and at the number of celebrations of our Christmas liturgies. Peter, Connie, the choirs (adult, children, youth, bell) all were wonderful and truly set the tone for the joy we felt. An equally big thank you to Maipi Deraney, Fr. Tom and all those who helped decorate the church and auditorium, no small task for their sizes. If sound adds to the celebration, sight equally puts us in the mood to celebrate. And speaking of the auditorium, many thanks as well to Glen McCall and the members of our Youth Ministry. They set up the auditorium for the Christmas celebrations over there and served in the liturgical ministries, lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, as well as ushers and ministers of hospitality, directing people from the overcrowded church to the auditorium. Without their help, we would never have been able to offer simultaneous masses in both places. A thank you also to the members of the Neocatechumenal Way who also helped with the set-up and the use of the liturgical articles needed for these celebrations.
A thank you to all who sent Christmas greetings, whether cards, or baked goods or libations, or in any way expressed good wishes to the priests and staff of the parish. These were most welcome and encouraging in a season that can be very tiring for all that needs to be done. I can only say there is an enormous amount of effort that needs to go into making the Christmas celebrations a significant part of the holiday experience and I am indebted to every single person who helps. I know I have left many out, but to all of you, my deepest gratitude.
That also goes for all who came to celebrate. I want you to know we don’t take that for granted. Whether you come regularly, or not so regularly, we are happy that you come. For those who don’t come regularly, we wish you would come more often. Your coming is not only an occasion for the Lord to touch your heart, for which we pray, but it is also an occasion to express your participation in the life of our Catholic community and your presence reminds us of that and challenges us to look for ways to deepen it throughout the year, and not just at Christmas. For those who do come regularly, thank you for that public expression of your faith and your participation in the life of the community at worship. For those of us who engage in ministry here at Mount Carmel it is a source of encouragement for us.
Finally, may I extend to all of you a sincere wish for blessings in this New Year. Whether one considers it a new decade or not, it is not with sorrow that we bid farewell to the time of the double 00’s. It has been a tough ten years, for many reasons and I repeat the prayer quoted at the start of my article, prayed on New Year’s Day, “The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace.”
God Bless,
Fr. Ron
