October 19, 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
It is hard to believe, but our Advent season is just around the corner. One of our biggest events during the Advent season is our annual Christmas Tree sale, which I am happy to report will continue this year with a few operational adjustments for COVID-19. We intend to operate this outdoor fundraiser in as safe a manner as possible and hope you will join us to support our parish through this annual event.
The 2020 Christmas Tree Sale will take place from Saturday, Nov. 28, to Sunday, Dec. 13. Weekend hours of operation will be 9 am-8 pm and weekday hours of operation will be 3-8 pm. We will offer 350 Fraser Fir trees of varying sizes, 72 Fraser Fir wreaths decorated by many of the talented crafters in our parish, fresh white pine roping and tabletop Fraser Firs in stands for sale in front of the church. Payment will be by cash and check only.
I would like to invite anyone interested in volunteering for the Christmas Tree Sale to do so through the online signup tool below. Volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear personal protective equipment, as they help set up the tree lot on Nov. 21, offload trees on Nov. 27 and help sell trees beginning Nov. 28. Many volunteers are needed to fill the four sales shifts each weekend day and the two shifts each weekday; if you can sign up for multiple shifts, then that would be appreciated! We have lost some longtime leaders and volunteers in this ministry to out-of-state moves, so we would love for the next generation of volunteers to step up. It is a great activity for parents and teenagers to do together, and a wonderful way to meet St. Francis parishioners in a socially distanced, outdoor environment. Students can also earn Student Service Learning hours at the sale, as well.
For more information, please contact Ministry Coordinator Brian Pettit at brianpettit@pettitcompanies.com or call him at (240) 372-1662. There will be no sign-up sheets in the Gathering Space due to protocols during the pandemic, but you can also sign up at the Christmas Tree lot during operating hours, too.
As we continue living in this new normal of the pandemic, it is nice to know we can retain some parish traditions by implementing safeguards to make these as safe as possible for everyone. I wish you all a wonderful fall and hope that you are looking forward to Advent, as well.
Have a blessed and wonderful week!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John
Here are the parish events for Monday, Oct. 19; Tuesday, Oct. 20; and Wednesday, Oct. 21:
Monday, Oct. 19:
- Virtual Parish Rosary at 4 pm. Led by Fr. John Dillon.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Led by Deacon Jim Datovech.
Tuesday, Oct. 20:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Led by Deacon Jim Datovech.
- In-person Mass at 9 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Rosary in Spanish at 6:30 pm. Led by Deacon Will Garcia.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Led by Deacon Jim Datovech.
Wednesday, Oct. 21:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Led by Deacon Jim Datovech.
- In-person Mass at 9 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Virtual Parish Rosary at 4 pm. Led by Fr. John Dillon.
- Virtual Votive Mass in the Time of Pandemic at 7 pm. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Evening Prayer at 7:45 pm. Led by Deacon Jim Datovech. (Note: Evening Prayer on Wednesdays starts later to accommodate people who want to attend the Votive Mass).
Other Resources:
- Read the Oct. 18 bulletin.
- Donate to the virtual Baby Bottle Campaign, benefitting the Shady Grove Pregnancy Center.
- Read the Oct. 19 issue of the Catholic Standard.
Christmas Tree Sale Volunteer Signup
Help make our Tree Sale a success!
