We returned to school on Tuesday and to our beautiful church on Wednesday to celebrate our first school Mass of 2022.  Mrs. Podnar’s eighth graders–with family members to assist them–opened our Mass by bringing three gifts to the manger as the Magi once did.  Fr. O’Toole explained that many of our beliefs about the Magi or astrologers are based on tradition.  However, we know that these Three Kings, as they’re often called, recognized Jesus as the Savior and brought gifts to him that were symbolic of his mission on earth.  Fr. O’Toole continued with a story about how at his ordination to the priesthood he received a gift of a chalice from a couple who had been gifting him with prayers and tuition support throughout his time at the seminary.  What a wonderful gift!  We too can provide anonymous gifts of prayer and kindness in this new year.  In essence, we can be a magi.  

Throughout our school we’ve changed our Advent to the Christmas season.  We’ve blessed our classrooms as we have our homes with symbols representing the new year and the traditional names of the Magi: 20+C+M+B+22.  As the Magi followed the Star so do we hope to usher in 2022 by bringing light and peace around us by our kindness and patience.  

We will soon congratulate our second graders when they receive their First Reconciliation this month.  But during Advent the students in Grades 3-8 completed Reconciliation services.  During Lent, students will once again be offered the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Many thanks to our parish priests, Fr. O’Toole and Fr. Archer, for providing this sacred sacrament to us. 

Mr. Remes’ seventh graders will lead our first third quarter Mass.  Grades 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 will attend.  As we begin the season of Ordinary Time, we focus on Jesus’ public ministry.  We will identify names we have for God and focus on the importance of listening to God’s voice.  We also begin our emphasis on the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  At the beginning of this part of the Mass, the gifts are brought to the altar.  We recall that all we have is from God and is gift.

Many thanks to our St. Peter families in their support of this (or rather last) year’s Thanksgiving Food Drive.  According to Larry Watson of Kirkcare, “the timing…of the food drive was perfect in bringing joy and hope to those served over the Christmas holidays and into the year to come.”  We collected over 2,000 food items that will supplement meals for over 80 families in most need in our community.  

As we prepare to take down our Christmas trees, manger scenes, and outdoor lights, let’s recall Pope Francis’ Christmas prayer that we remain a “light” to others during these cold days: