Dear Parishioners,

Every year, when we reach this 4th Sunday of Advent, I have to ask: How did we get here? Advent always seems to go quicker than those days of Lent. This year, more than ever, we need to have the hope that Advent can bring to us. We are just days away from our celebration of Christmas. Advent always points us to the importance of having Christ in our lives! One of the things that may have caught your interest this year is the Christmas Star. For the first time, since the middle ages (or around 800 years ago), the Christmas star will be visible this Monday, December 21, and will be brilliantly shining in the sky. It just seems appropriate that our Lord is reminding us, especially in this time of pandemic, that Christ is the light of the world!

Our celebration of Christmas will definitely look different this year. I hope everyone has had a chance to see my letter or my video explaining what we are facing with the restrictions this year. For those who have been able to join us for Mass or even for a funeral these past few months, you will know that our staff does everything possible to keep people safe and healthy when they are in the building. We are doing the same for our celebration of Christmas. Our announcements at Mass this weekend will tell you if there have been any last-minute changes from what I issued a few weeks ago. If you are healthy and able, we would love to have you join us for the celebration of Christmas. Also, your final chances for "Drive-in" confessions before Christmas will be today, Saturday, December 20, from 11 am until 12 pm noon and again from 2 pm until 3 pm, and this coming Tuesday, December 22, from 11 am-noon, all in our main parking lot.

As this year also draws to an end, I am pleased to announce that we finished our final roofing project just over a week ago. We were able to replace and repair the roofs on the rectory, the main part of the roof over the narthex of the church building, and do sectional repairs to seal up all the leaks on the Stanley Centre. What a long few months of work this has been for us.

When our six-month financial report comes out next month, you will see all these items listed. I thank all of you for your financial support during these difficult times for everyone, including our parish community. If you would like to make any end of year gifts to the parish, please do so by December 31 so we can record it on your donation statement.

Have a blessed celebration of Christmas!
Fr. Mark