ALL SET FOR SUNDAY

The road has been constructed, the Lord Jesus has come, is coming and will come again.  We recognize in Him our Way to the Father by following Him who is Light from Light, true God from true God.  Through the star, Jesus draws the Magi from the nations of the world to Himself.  Jesus uses their language, their understanding to draw them.  The Magi would study the stars looking for signs, and God gave them the perfect sign.  God does this not only for us who believe, but He does this for all men and women.  In our efforts to share Jesus with others, let's see where He is already revealing Himself to them.

In our readings this weekend, the prophet Isaiah foreshadows the revelation of God through Light.  He foreshadows the gifts of gold and frankincense.  Yet in the Gospel, Saint Matthew foreshadows the passion and death of Jesus through the third gift of myrrh, the spice used to bury the dead.  His Kingship, His Divinity and His Passion will all lead the nations into a deeper relationship with God.

NEWS FROM THE PEWS

• OUR SCHOOL's Leadership Council met this past week.  We spent the majority of the meeting discussing how our families who have students enrolled in our school might be able to participate in our pilot program this Lent of small groups. 
• OUR ANNUAL GALA AND AUCTION is quickly approaching.  Please join Father Daniel and me for an evening of fun and community.  The Gala and Auction is a whole parish event that benefits our parish ministries, including our school, as well as the Saint Pius X Parish Foundation.  
• FIRST CONFESSION is also quickly approaching.  We have about 60 second grade students from our school and faith formation ministries who will be confessing their sins and God's mercy for the first time on January 25.  Please keep them in your prayers.

PRAYING FOR PERRY

With the tragedy in Perry this past week, we keep the community in Perry in our prayers.  Reports from family members and friends say that the community is sad but hopeful.  Please continue to pray for all the families involved in this tragedy.  This is a time for us to especially be mindful of how we speak about events, practicing charity and restraint.

THANK YOU

I would be remiss if I did not end this blog entry as well as the Christmas season (on Monday, January 8) with some thank you's:

• TO YOU: we would not be able to worship and praise our God without YOU sharing your gifts, talents and abilities with the whole community.  Your prayer, song, silence, and participation in the Advent and Christmas liturgies made the seasons and Masses amazing.  Thank you.
• TO THE MINISTRY LEADERS: we would not be able to worship and praise our God without our team members who give and give of themselves.  They make sure that all the details behind the scenes are taken care of so that the we are able to gather together.  Thank you.
• TO OUR GUESTS AND VISITORS: we would not be able to worship and praise our God without others joining us.  Our community feels more full when we have new (or old) faces join us.  Thank you.
• TO OUR GOD: Thank you.

Merry Christmas and best wishes for this new year!