WEEKEND OF DECEMBER 26-27, 2020

Dear Friends,

We celebrate on this Sunday after Christmas the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

Scripture tells us practically nothing about the first years and the boyhood of the Child Jesus. All we know are the facts of their sojourn in Egypt, their return to Nazareth, and the incidents that occurred when the twelve-year-old boy accompanied his parents to Jerusalem. In her liturgy the Church hurries over this period of Christ's life just as quickly. The general breakdown of the family, however, at the end of the 19^th century and at the beginning of the twentieth, prompted the popes, especially the far-sighted Leo XIII, to promote the observance of this feast with the hope that it might instill into Christian families something of the faithful love and the devoted attachment that characterize the family of Nazareth. The primary purpose of the Church in instituting and promoting this feast is to present the Holy Family as the model and exemplar of all Christian families. It is especially appropriate that we celebrate this solemnity during these days of Christmastide, when our attention is naturally drawn to the members of the Holy Family.

I would be very remiss if I did not include in this post-Christmas letter a very big “thank you” to all those who made the celebration of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day here at Saint Timothy Parish possible. Our Christmas was absolutely perfect in every way, and that perfection was certainly due to the hard work and dedication of everyone and anyone who had a role in our celebration. Those fine people include Nick Monica, Francesco Sifoni, Joe Monica, Cheryl Kirschman, Anne Coneghen, our music ministers, our ushers, our readers, our altar servers, our extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, our sacristans, and those who cleaned and helped decorate both the upper and lower churches. If there is anyone whom I may have forgotten, please accept my heartfelt thanks for your participation in our marvelous celebration of Christmas.

I would also like to thank all those who participated in our C.Y.O. Elf Patrol program this year by donating gift cards for the benefit of families in need. Your response was overwhelmingly generous. Your goodness toward those in need certainly pleased God, and made many people happy. Thanks to Mrs. Annemarie Haag and Mr. Tom Sullivan, for coordinating this annual program, and for the countless ways they assist us throughout the year.

I would like to thank as well so many of you who donated food so that those in need could celebrate the Lord’s birth at their table. I express great gratitude to Sister Bea McElrone and her helpers who worked hard in the coordinating of this effort for those who were the grateful recipients. Sister Bea, of course, is a gift to us in her outreach ministry not just during this holiday season, but throughout the year, and we thank God each day in  a special way for her.

Thanks also to all of you who gifted us with cards, presents, baked goods, and other treats during this Christmas season. Your generosity is truly heartwarming! On behalf of the rectory staff, Father Noone, Father Buck, Buster, and myself, I offer you our sincere gratitude for your kindness to us.

I think it is important for us to remember that our celebration of Christmas has just begun. We ended the season of Advent and began the season of Christmas at nightfall on Christmas Eve, and our celebration this year will extend all the way to January 10^th, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The secular world often ends their Christmas celebration on New Year’s Day (the Christmas carols on the radio stations mostly end the day after Christmas!), especially since many begin to celebrate even before Thanksgiving. As good Catholic Christians it is important for us to remember that our celebration of this great mystery is not a day but a season, and so the celebration has only begun! Let’s be sure to make the most of these grace-filled and beautiful days. Why not leave your Christmas tree and decorations up a bit longer than usual this year (maybe even until January 10^th!)?

We celebrate this Thursday and Friday New Year’s, which for us Catholics is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. How appropriate that we take this first day of the new year to honor the one who brought the Word-made-Flesh into being by her very “yes” to God. Happy 2021 to you and those you love. Even though many of you already have them, Church calendars are still available this weekend. Please take one home with you. Many thanks to our parishioners and good friends from Petner Funeral Home for underwriting the cost of these calendars for us this year.

Please note that our New Year’s Mass schedule is as follows: the anticipated Mass on New Year’s Eve is at 4:30 P.M., and on New Year’s Day Masses will be celebrated at 6:30 and 8:30 A.M.

  Know that you and those you love are daily remembered in my Mass and my prayers.

 

Love and prayers,
Father Olivere