December 1, 2022

THANK YOU!! All of the gift tags (500-600) have been taken from around our Giving Tree. To those who have taken gift tags, please remember to bring your items to the church by December 11th for sorting and distribution.

There is still a great need for GIFT CARDS to distribute to the non-profits that we partner with. You can find a listing of the needed gift cards by CLICKING HERE. When returning gift cards, please place the cards in an envelope marked with the organization they go to.

Please be aware that numerous parishes in the Richmond area will host Advent Reconciliation Services in the next few weeks:

December 3 - Holy Rosary (10:00 a.m.)

December 6 - Saint Bridget (7:00 p.m.)

December 13 - Saint Paul (Noon and 7:00 p.m.)

December 14 - Redeemer (7:00 p.m.)

December 14 - Our Lady of Lourdes (7:00 p.m.)

December 17 - Saint Elizabeth (noon)

December 21 - Cathedral (5:30 p.m.)

Be sure to follow Saint Mary's on Facebook. Each Sunday and Thursday during Advent you will find a simple post about an Advent activity you can do as a family.

The Saint Mary's Catholic School Annual Fund enables Saint Mary's to keep tuition costs down while affording resources and programs that enrich student and family life. From November 29 through the end of the year, your gift to the Annual Fund will make double the difference. All gifts will be matched up to a total of $10,000. Your generosity will do a world of good for our students and teachers.

Please help us make the match – and reach our $65,000 goal – by making a gift to the Saint Mary’s Catholic School Annual Fund. Visit saintmary.org/AnnualFund or mail a check to Saint Mary’s Catholic School, 9501 Gayton Road, Richmond, VA 23229. We thank you for your support!

Join us on Friday, December 2nd at 8:15 a.m. as we gather to pray the rosary in the Daily Mass Chapel. We will have rosaries available if you need one. The Rosary will conclude in time for Mass which begins at 9:00 a.m.

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated following the 9:00 a.m. Daily Mass this Friday, December 2. All are welcome.

Join St. Mary’s PTO for their annual Advent Brunch on Sunday, December 4th in the Parish Hall. There are seatings at 10:00 AM & 12:00 PM.

There is an EXPANDED MENU this year! And takeout is available

Pre-Order at: STMARYVA.EJOINME.ORG/ADVENTBRUNCH2022

In addition to brunch, there will be LIVE MUSIC, a visit from SAINT NICHOLAS, KIDS CRAFTS, and a CHRISTMAS SHOP!

Current St. Mary's 8-12th graders have the opportunity to register for the Richmond Diocesan Youth Conference, to be held February 10-12, 2023 at the Richmond Convention Center. Participants will check in on Friday evening and stay through Sunday at about noon.

INTERESTED? For all the information and forms, CLICK HERE.

Last year alone, CCC offered hope to more than 921 individuals fleeing to the US for safety. While these individuals and families are now safe and secure in their new homes and communities, their journey is far from over. CCC supports refugees from around the world for up to five years, providing a strong foundation on their journey to a successful life as US citizens. CLICK HERE to watch a video from CCC.

CCC has created an interactive advent calendar for you and your family to learn more about the many programs and services throughout the Diocese of Richmond. https://www.cccofva.org/adventcalendar

If you would like to make a donation to Catholic Charities, click here. In addition, our second collection on Christmas will support Commonwealth Catholic Charities.