My brothers and sisters in Christ,
This past week I stepped away from the parish to spend some time with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. While we were together a couple of relatives announced that they would be welcoming a new child in the coming months: The first for one, and the fourth for the other.
As I reflect on Advent I can't help but think of how incredible it must be to be expecting a new child in your family, in particular, for the very first time. There must be so many questions and thoughts: Will it be a boy or a girl? What will she look like? I hope he's healthy. Even more, it must be amazing to consider this hidden reality, a child who is present and who, especially at the beginning of the pregnancy, can go by almost unnoticed unless one is attentive to the tiny changes that begin to occur.
I wonder what Mary and Joseph's thoughts were at that time in their lives, after the Angel Gabriel made his announcement. Were they concerned, anxious, excited? Probably all of the above. We know for certain that Our Lady "pondered all these things in her heart." If I had to guess, I would say that so did St. Joseph in his own, quiet way.
Advent is a privileged time to walk with Jesus, Joseph, and Mary, especially in Eucharistic Adoration, where Our Lord's True Presence is hidden, just as he was once hidden in the womb of Our Lady. In these short four weeks of Advent, I invite you to make a little time to spend with Our Lord at our church, either with a simple visit to the church to say hello to him in the tabernacle, or more deeply brought forth in the monstrance at Eucharistic Adoration. I am confident that if you do, Our Lord will make his presence known in the simple, little ways that he always does.
May the Good Lord bless you all in this Advent Season,
-fr. hynes
PS -- We have so many ways for you to spend time with Jesus in Adoration this month: First Friday Eucharistic Vigil, Thursday all-day Adoration, Monday night Confession and Adoration, and Tuesday Advent Meditations and Adoration. Come and spend a little time with the king! You'll be glad you did!
— December —
First Adoration Vigil: Fri, Dec 2 @ 6:00 PM --> Sat, Nov 5 @ 6:45 AM (Chapel)
The All Night Vigil begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 6:45 a.m. Click Here to sign up online or use the sheets at the front entrance to the church. While signing up is not necessary, it is appreciated to ensure adequate coverage.
First Saturday Devotions: Sat, Dec 3 @ 7:30 AM (Church)
At Saint Catherine’s on each first Saturday of the month immediately following the 7 AM Mass, parishioners gather to pray the First Saturday devotion that was requested by Our Lady. The Rosary is prayed with a 3 minute pause between each decade to honor Our Lady’s request to keep her company for a quarter of an hour meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary. For more information, please contact:
Judi Scherban (Judith.Scherban@gmail.com) or Lorraine Allan (Lma4171@gmail.com)
Judi Scherban (Judith.Scherban@gmail.com) or Lorraine Allan (Lma4171@gmail.com)
Hot Coco with Santa: Sun, Dec 11 following 9 AM Mass (Cafeteria)
St. Catherine of Siena Parish Families are cordially invited to attend Hot Coco With Santa on Sunday, December 11 immediately following the 9AM Mass.
Click here to RSVP by Monday, December 5. We hope to see you there!
Click here to RSVP by Monday, December 5. We hope to see you there!
Advent Holy Hour and Guided Meditation: Tuesdays of Advent @ 7:00 PM (Church)
Advent is a special time for us to walk with Joseph and Mary as they prepare to receive the Savior of the World into their arms and into their family. As an aid to help us enter more deeply into the spirit of the season, Fr. Hynes will be leading the parish in a weekly Holy Hour and Guided Meditation on the Tuesdays of Advent: Nov 29, Dec 6, Dec 13, & Dec 20 @ 7:00 PM in the church.
— Ongoing Events & Announcements —
Sunday Coffee and Donuts:
Fr. Hynes is looking for volunteers who can help us start and coordinate Coffee and Donuts after the 9:00 AM Mass. As a way to encourage attendance he's promised to read a children's book for the first four weeks if we can find enough volunteers to continue offering Coffee and Donuts each week. Please email him at fatherhynes@gmail.com if you're willing to help.
Altar Servers:
Fr. Maxwell is looking for new recruits to serve at the altar. Altar Servers assist the priest at the altar and help the church community worship with reverence and devotion. If you are between the ages 9 and 20, we invite you to share this special privilege of becoming an active altar server in our parish. If interested, please contact Fr. Maxwell Chukwudiebere at 781-762-6080 Ext. 118 or frmaxwell@stcatherinenorwood.org
Fr. Maxwell is looking for new recruits to serve at the altar. Altar Servers assist the priest at the altar and help the church community worship with reverence and devotion. If you are between the ages 9 and 20, we invite you to share this special privilege of becoming an active altar server in our parish. If interested, please contact Fr. Maxwell Chukwudiebere at 781-762-6080 Ext. 118 or frmaxwell@stcatherinenorwood.org
Adult Choir - (Thursdays, 7PM-8PM)
Believe it or not, Advent (and then Christmas!) will soon be upon us. This season has such beautiful music. If you have been thinking about joining choir, why not try it out for the Advent/Christmas seasons? Our Adult Choir meets from 7 to 8 PM on Thursday evenings in the Church and is open to everyone from high school age on up.We sing at the 11 AM Mass as well as other special Masses, including Christmas. Please email our Music Director (musicdirector@stcatherinenorwood.org) for more info!
Children's Choir - (Thursdays 2:30PM-3:30PM)
Our Children's Choir meets from 2:30 to 3:30 PM in the school cafeteria and sings a few times a month at the 9 AM Mass, special events such as Christmas Eve 6 PM Mass and for students of St. Catherine of Siena School, school Masses. The Children's Choir is open to all children from the parish and school who have received their First Communion up to 8th Grade. Both choirs offer the chance to build friendships, confidence, and faith through music! We hope you will join us this season! Please email our Music Director (musicdirector@stcatherinenorwood.org) for more info!