Advent Update
Dear friends,
I know it has been a while since the last email update, but a lot has been going on at the parish! For Advent we began praying the Rosary before our weekend Masses to help us enter into this Advent season in a spirit of prayer. We gave out kits for Advent wreathes on the First Sunday of Advent and Christmas ornaments on the Second Sunday. We have a number of other Advent events planned—see the bottom part of this email for more details.
A lot has been happening in other aspects of our parish life as well. We just put a new roof on our faith formation building—the old one was in serious need of repair, and I'm grateful to Fr. Mike for having started that project before he left. The parish also now has a new phone system. You can now leave me and Fr. Romeo a voicemail directly! There is also an option for an "emergency line" that will ring every phone in the office and rectory if there is an after-hours emergency that requires a priest (e.g., someone is dying and needs a priest for the last sacraments). If no one picks up, there will be a further option to try our cell phones. Everything seems to be working well with the system, but please let us know if you encounter any problems.
Finally, I want to thank you for your patience over the last couple months as Fr. Romeo and I have also had the pastoral care of Holy Name of Mary Parish and Sacred Heart Mission. This temporary arrangement has limited what all the parishes have been able to do, but thanks to excellent volunteers in all three parishes, things have been going more smoothly than I could have ever hoped.
This Sunday is "Gaudete" or "Rejoice" Sunday. It means we're over halfway to Christmas. One of the best ways to enter into the joy of this Advent season is to make a good Confession. If you need a refresher on how to go, click here. There are a number of opportunities to go to Confession in our local area listed below. I hope you have a blessed Sunday!
Yours in Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
Fr. Brad
Events and Announcements
Reminder: Weekly Confession Times
Confessions are heard at St. Joe's every Saturday from 3:30 PM until 4:30 PM. We also offer Confession every Wednesday from 5:45 (following the 5:15 Mass) until about 6:35 during our time of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Confessions at Holy Name of Mary are on Thursdays from 7 PM until 7:45 PM during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and on Saturdays from 10 AM until 11 AM (First Saturdays from 8:30 AM until 10 AM).
Afternoon of Adoration and Confession
On Friday, December 16, we will offer a period of Eucharistic Adoration following the 12:05 Mass until 7:00 PM. Confessions will be heard at 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM, 4 PM, 5 PM, and 6 PM. Please come toward the beginning of each hour since the priest will stay in the confessional until all are heard. At 6:45 we will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
If you can commit to one hour of prayer that day, we need at least one volunteer to pray in the church while Eucharistic Exposition takes place. Click here to sign up for an hour of prayer. If all the spots are filled, that's no problem. Stop by and pray anyway!
Penance Service
Our local penance service will be Thursday, December 22nd at 7 PM here at St. Joe's. Multiple priests will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Musicians and Ministers Needed
If you are available to be an altar server, lector, or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion for Christmas, please consider signing up in the sacristy.
If you have musical talent and would like to join one of our groups for signing on Christmas, we would love your help! Singers are especially needed for the Saturday 5 PM Christmas Eve Mass!
Purple Potluck
On Saturday, December 17, we will have a "Purple Potluck" after our 5 PM Mass. Please bring a dish to share and enjoy some fellowship during this Advent season.
Toby Mac Concert
Our high schoolers are invited to a Toby Mac Concert in Grand Rapids on March 5th–6th, 2023. Toby Mac is a contemporary Christian singer and songwriter. There is a parent meeting next Sunday, December 18th following the 10:00 AM Mass at the beginning of our high school youth group time for parents of any teen who might be interested. The deadline to register is Sunday, January 8th. If you have questions, please contact Emily Weber at ekgrosve@mtu.edu.