Just two days into the new year I had the opportunity to welcome the sisters from Incarnation Convent to the rectory for a small Christmas Celebration. It was lovely. The sisters arrived punctually at 5PM and stayed until well after 9PM.
Father Auggie was also there as we shared stories, many of which had to do with the Incarnation Family as well as our own families. There were hors d'oeuves and great laughter that closed out with a wonderful meal and Christmas Cupcakes.
On Saturday, January 12 another crowd came to the rectory to celebrate at the tail end of Christmastide. I invited all the priests who celebrate the Sacraments with us throughout the year: Msgr. Arella, Msgr. Ryan, Fr. Kelly, Fr. Sweeney, Fr. Swartvagher all stopped by. Unfortunately, Msgr. Feldhaus, Fr. Fonti and Fr. Kuroly had other plans. Like with the sisters it was a wonderful evening of stories and laughter. I mentioned that I wish I could celebrate every Mass at Incarnation but this is not possible so I need help. I mentioned to those present that I invited them to celebrate Mass for us because I thought that they did so both reverently and enthusiastically. They also preach the Word of God well.
Like Christmas Eve it was a wonderful exchange of priestly fraternity. But the Saturday night before the Baptism of the Lord it was a lot less stressful as no one had Midnight Mass.
These two opportunities only highlight how we have such good people at Incarnation. I firmly believe that spirit is contagious.
Merry Christmas and now back to Ordinary Time
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Christmas
Yesterday we brought the Octave of Christmas to a close even as the Christmastide continues until January 13. It has been a wonderful Advent and Christmas so far. Wonderful and bittersweet.
As I get even closer to my sabbatical I was thinking how much fun I had approaching the Holidays. The enthusiasm of the Liturgy Committee as they came out, some with their children, under the cover of darkness on Sunday, December 23 to transform the Parish Church from Advent to Christmas. They did a wonderful job. It all worked so well that I have no fears that they will do an equally awesome job at Easter.
The Friday before Christmas some of the "Junior Staff"came to the rectory to decorate the Christmas tree. It was a great deal. All Fr. Auggie and I had to do was to spring for some pizza and soda to repay these "Christmasologists" as they transformed the Christmas tree and the room. Watching them work together reminded me once again how great a bunch of high school and college students we have here on staff.
The many Masses of Christmas were again memorable and moving. The prayers, readings, music and congregations for each Mass was different but the joy and the spirit was universal as we celebrated the Incarnation. The Living Nativity Pageant at the Family Mass, the Carols preparing for Midnight Mass, the trumpeter who joined us for our feast all helped as prayers of so many were raised to the heavens.
As I get even closer to my sabbatical I was thinking how much fun I had approaching the Holidays. The enthusiasm of the Liturgy Committee as they came out, some with their children, under the cover of darkness on Sunday, December 23 to transform the Parish Church from Advent to Christmas. They did a wonderful job. It all worked so well that I have no fears that they will do an equally awesome job at Easter.
The Friday before Christmas some of the "Junior Staff"came to the rectory to decorate the Christmas tree. It was a great deal. All Fr. Auggie and I had to do was to spring for some pizza and soda to repay these "Christmasologists" as they transformed the Christmas tree and the room. Watching them work together reminded me once again how great a bunch of high school and college students we have here on staff.
The many Masses of Christmas were again memorable and moving. The prayers, readings, music and congregations for each Mass was different but the joy and the spirit was universal as we celebrated the Incarnation. The Living Nativity Pageant at the Family Mass, the Carols preparing for Midnight Mass, the trumpeter who joined us for our feast all helped as prayers of so many were raised to the heavens.
The Christmas Season was brought to a close quietly Sunday night, after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. I will be honest it was a bitter-sweet season for me.
Don't get me wrong, Christmas was spectacular!
The Friday before Christmas our decorations arrived from the market and many of the "Junior Staff" under Stephanie's guidance came to put up the Christmas Tree in our Dinning Room. It was a great deal. Fr. Auggie (the chaplain from Creedmore who lives with me) and I bought them pizza-Gabby's, of course- and they decorated a gorgeous Christmas Tree. As they were working together, and their disposition, I was so proud of these young people and the fact that they were part of the Incarnation Staff.
Then on night of the f
Fourth Sunday of Advent, the church was transformed by the members of the Liturgy Committee and or maintenance and sacristy staff. In three hours the church moved from Advent to Christmas. I know the flowers were a good crop this year but the efforts and team work of all present made our church so beautiful. It definitely takes away any fears I might have about the decorations for Holy Week while I am away on sabbatical.
Christmas got off to an unexpected start as I found myself cooking for nearby priests. Father Kuroly celebrated the Spanish Mass Christmas Eve and was to preach at the Midnight Mass so I invited him for Chinese Take-out. Then he told me another pastor was alone for Christmas Eve and I heard of another so I ended up cooking sausages and pasta for the lot of them. It was a great celebration of priesthood. Dinner began at 9PM and was done by 11:15 so everyone could return for Midnight Mass.
Don't get me wrong, Christmas was spectacular!
The Friday before Christmas our decorations arrived from the market and many of the "Junior Staff" under Stephanie's guidance came to put up the Christmas Tree in our Dinning Room. It was a great deal. Fr. Auggie (the chaplain from Creedmore who lives with me) and I bought them pizza-Gabby's, of course- and they decorated a gorgeous Christmas Tree. As they were working together, and their disposition, I was so proud of these young people and the fact that they were part of the Incarnation Staff.
Then on night of the f
Fourth Sunday of Advent, the church was transformed by the members of the Liturgy Committee and or maintenance and sacristy staff. In three hours the church moved from Advent to Christmas. I know the flowers were a good crop this year but the efforts and team work of all present made our church so beautiful. It definitely takes away any fears I might have about the decorations for Holy Week while I am away on sabbatical.
Christmas got off to an unexpected start as I found myself cooking for nearby priests. Father Kuroly celebrated the Spanish Mass Christmas Eve and was to preach at the Midnight Mass so I invited him for Chinese Take-out. Then he told me another pastor was alone for Christmas Eve and I heard of another so I ended up cooking sausages and pasta for the lot of them. It was a great celebration of priesthood. Dinner began at 9PM and was done by 11:15 so everyone could return for Midnight Mass.
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