Weekly Newsletter
For the Week of Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022
The Nativity of the Lord
The Christmas Pageant and Potluck went very well this last Wednesday! Thank you for everyone who helped and participated in such a wonderful Christmas celebration!
Merry Christmas!
Pastor's Letter by Fr. Vincent Gilmore
Dear Parishioners,
This is my first Christmas in South Stevens County, and it is indeed a white one! I am so happy to be here and serve this community. It is so lovely to see how all the parishes have decorated our churches for Christmas. Each church has a prominent Nativity Scene. Ever since I was a kid, I loved Nativity Scenes and have spent most of my life either decorating, enhancing or making mangers. I have made over a dozen mangers/stables out of wood. I feel kind of like Joseph, who had to find a place for our Lord Jesus to be born, he found the manger/stable.
It was St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th century who made the first Nativity Scene; it was a living nativity scene. He got local towns people to dress up like Mary, Joseph and the shepherds and a baby to be Jesus. He wanted to show people the reality and beauty of the Incarnation, of God becoming human flesh, God becoming a little baby with Mary as his mother. For most people before Christianity this idea of the Incarnation would have been a very foreign concept. Even we have trouble grasping such a great mystery. But it is true, and this is what we celebrate at Christmas: God becoming man, a little baby in the arms of his mother.
And why is God doing this? As St. John tells us, because “God so loved the world” that he sent his Son into the world as our Savior. Savior from what? Sin and death. Jesus is the light of the world and gives each of us hope and promise of eternal life and peace. St. Augustine puts it well: “God became man so that man may become God.” Through our baptism into Jesus we share in his divinity.
Let us appreciate again this Christmas what God is doing for us by sending his Son born of Mary. Let us look at the Nativity scene with new eyes, eyes of faith, the same eyes in which we look at the Eucharist. The Eucharist, after consecration, not bread, but now the Body and Blood of Jesus.
On behalf of my assistant Kellie Trudeau and myself, your Pastor, who serve all the parishes of South Stevens County, we want to wish all of you and your families a very blessed and happy Christmas and Christmas Season. May the peace, hope, love and joy at the birth of Our Savior fill your hearts to overflowing.
Merry Christmas,
Fr. Vincent
Christmas Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022
4:00 pm at St. Mary's, Chewelah
6:00 pm at Sacred Heart, Springdale
10:00 pm at St. Mary's, Chewelah
Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022
9:00 am at Holy Ghost, Valley
Holy Day of Obligation
Jan. 1, 2023
The Solemnity of Mary, Our Holy Mother of God
Next week, on New Year's Day, we celebrate a Holy Day of Obligation: The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. Since New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the weekend mass schedule will remain the same with Mass on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 4 pm at St. Mary's and 6 pm at Sacred Heart, and on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023, mass will be at 8 am at Holy Ghost and 10 am at St. Mary of the Rosary.
Save the Date: January 28
Mardi Gras
Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 28 for the return of the Mardi Gras Dinner and Dessert Auction at St. Mary’s! Tickets will be $25 per person with the choice of Prime Rib or Salmon Dinner! Dinner will be followed by the ever-popular and fun Dessert Auction. Tickets will go on sale Sunday, Jan. 8 after 10 am mass or available at the church office. More information to come.
St. Mary's PREPARES Ministry
From humble beginnings 20 months ago, the St. Mary of the Rosary PREPARES (Pregnancy and Parenting Support) diaper program has grown to providing diapers for 16-18 babies a month. This December the ministry also provided Christmas gift bags to all children enrolled in the PREPARES program. St. Mary's PREPARES will hold its first community baby shower on January 12, 2023 at the parish hall at 10 am, which includes a Baby 101 presentation. Many thanks and blessings to those who have donated cash and essential baby items to support the sustainability of this program. But this ministry’s success is not just measured by statistics. It takes the dedication of our compassionate volunteers and donors to glorify God’s name in our parish communities. THANKS for all you do!
Holiday Parish Office Hours
The parish office will be closed Friday, Dec. 30 for the New Year's holiday. There will be mass and adoration as scheduled.
Annual Catholic Calendars
The annual calendars from Catholic Extension have been delayed this year but should arrive within the next week. Once they are delivered, we will have them available at each parish.
Parish Member Records
After the new year, Kellie will be updating the church's digital member directory with current emails, addresses, phone numbers, etc. Watch for a survey to be available soon.
New Magnificat Available
Copies of the Magnificat Magazine for January 2023 are now available at each parish to those interested. The magazines are made available each month through subscriptions provided by the parishes.