Our Church is the place of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. At the beginning of Advent, we lit the first candle of the Advent Wreath hoping that this light will shine out on Christmas Night. In order to express our hope this year, I am inviting you, who are attending our Church for Holy Masses to bring only one Christmas ornament to hang on the designated Christmas Trees by yourself. You will find one on each side of the Church and they have a crown as a treetop. While attending one of the Christmas Masses, at 4 p.m. or 8p.m. on Christmas Eve or the 8:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. on Christmas Day, you will see your ornament and feel connected with the Church and St. Faustina Parish. On the Epiphany of the Lord, which will be celebrated on January 8th, you can take your ornament home. I think this will be a good way to express our unity and communion. 

Join us for an Advent Tea with a presentation on Preparing our Hearts: Encounter the Love of God Through an Advent Meditation with guest speaker—Maria Sinishtaj. Bring your favorite teacup. Tea sandwiches and homemade cookies are among the menu items. If you would like to host a table, please let us know. Bring your favorite tea pot and serve the guests at your table. Tickets will be $15 and will be available November 15th until December 1st. Get your tickets early for an afternoon of socializing and an inspirational talk to prepare us for the Birth of Jesus.

The Christian Service Commission is again sponsoring the Giving Tree this year. It is one way of remembering and living out what Jesus came to show us – that we are all brothers and sisters and are called to love one another. Make it a family activity or an individual means of entering into the Christmas spirit. Just a reminder! Gifts for the Giving Tree must be returned by Sunday, December 4. The reason we deliver these gifts so early is because the organizations we deliver the gifts to need enough time to unpack, organize and distribute them before Christmas. A reminder, do not wrap or return your gift in any type of bag. Simply attach the sticky note and drop in the designated box. Gift cards should be placed in an envelope, attach the sticky note and put in the designated box. Thank you, Christian Service Commission