Weekend of December 9-10, 2023

Dear Friends,

Our Advent journey continues as we celebrate this Second Sunday of the season, with the figure of John the Baptist reminding us of what it is we celebrate during this holy season: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” This message from John, the cousin of the Lord, speaks not only of the season of Advent, but also of our lives as Christians. The person of John is a reminder to make sure our priorities are aligned with those of God, not only during these frenetic days leading up to the great feast of Christmas, but always.

This coming Friday, December 15^th, beginning at 6:00 P.M. we will gather on our Levick Street lawn, in front of Saint Timothy’s rectory and upper church, where we will have a Live Nativity, complete with live animals of all kinds, and Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus, along with shepherds and wise men, all portrayed by our own students from Blessed Trinity School. As part of our festivities we will have carols, readings, and prayers which will draw us into the beauty of the Advent and upcoming Christmas seasons. At 7:00 P.M., in our gym, we will have our Advent Family Celebration, which will include food, games, music, arts and crafts, face painting, and pictures with Santa. This evening is an Advent family festival with something for everyone. Please join us, and bring your family! 

Next Sunday, December 17^th, at 7:00 P.M., we will be celebrating the ceremony of Lessons and Carols in Saint Timothy’s upper church. This beautiful service, which will feature our choir and music ministers, is a wonderful way for us to celebrate the Advent season. This evening will be a fine opportunity for us to gather as a parish family, to sing carols, and to get into the spirit of the season. Please attend with your family members and neighbors.

Please remember our shut-ins and those who are in need during this Advent season by taking note of our giving trees, which are located at the front of Saint Bartholomew Church and Saint Timothy Upper Church. Details about the Elf Patrol and Giving Tree are explained elsewhere in this bulletin.

Available to you at the church entrances are the Little Blue Books for the Advent and Christmas seasons, which contain a short thought for each day.  Please take a book home with you, and feel free to take one for a shut-in or neighbor who cannot come to church.

I remind you that the annual Saint Charles Seminary Appeal is taking place at this time. You should have received a direct mailing from the seminary for the appeal, and may use the envelope enclosed in your mailing to send your contribution directly to the seminary, which is the preferred method. For those of you who didn’t receive this mailing from the seminary, or misplaced it, there are extra envelopes available at the entrances of the church for your convenience. Thank you for your generosity to this important annual campaign.

I remind our lectors that your new Workbooks for Lectors and Gospel Readers are available in the sacristy. Please stop in after Mass to take yours.

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

                                                                                    Love and prayers,
                                                                                    Father Olivere