From the corner office for Dec. 17, 2023

From the Corner Office is Father Mike's weekly bulletin column.

Gaudete! Sunday is here and we are called to REJOICE! Now, how about “Gaudete et spate!” that is Rejoice and be hopeful! Being that we are now past the half-way point, and Christmas is just about a week away, do we really have time to stop and Rejoice! Maybe we, “Just want to get it over with…” But that is all the more reason to REJOICE and be hopeful! We need to realize, like the Prophet Isaiah, the Spirit of the Lord God is (in fact…) upon us all. That like Mary we Rejoice! as like her proclamation from the Gospel of Luke. St. Paul encourages us to, “Rejoice always.” Because like St. John the Baptist, we can’t be afraid to be that “…voice…crying out in the desert…” So let’s not be afraid of the rejoicing, but let’s also Rejoice and be hopeful!

Fr. Mike

From the Pastor’s Desk:

The thank you or “Pastor’s Shout-out” need to go to all the volunteers and all of you who donated, not only for the Giving Tree gift cards, but also the hats, gloves, scarves, and other “cold weather items”. The past few Sundays included trips down to the near-West Side to drop off some of the donations to a friend of the parish, who will share them on the streets with the homeless and poor in and around the downtown area. We also have been taking donations to the St. Vincent DePaul Center on Broadview Road in Old Brooklyn and the West Side Catholic Center in Ohio City. The appreciation has been one of REJOICE! as it all gives those in need HOPE!

So, thanks and thanks again!