December 25 , 2005

In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things came into being, not one thing came into being except through him. What has come into being
in him was life, life that was the light of men; and light shines in
darkness, and darkness could not overpower it.

Its nearly noon on Christmas Eve. So far the day has been quiet - so quiet that I'm still in my robe. Soon however, I'll be on the road to Bath for the first of our three Christmas Masses.

The 3:00 p.m. Mass will most likely attract families with younger children. About twenty of those children will help me proclaim the Christmas Gospel. There'll be sheep and cows and shepherds and angels, processing down the aisle to greet Mary, Joseph and the Christ child. The angels will perform a little dance to "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" before I conclude the Gospel and try to re-focus the young actors and actresses and their families on the Christmas message.

Before the 10:30 p.m. Candlelight Mass, our choir and bell choir will provide carols. Among them will be a glorious composition written by our organist and liturgy director Bill Grimmer. The piece was performed on Thursday night when the choir and bell choir offered its annual Christmas Concert. The music was glorious and I felt so very blessed to be part of a community that so enjoys the season and so generously shares with others.

Between the Masses, I'll return home for our family traditions a fondue and perhaps a trip to Mt. Savior Monastery for Compline. For the first time in five years, our three adult children (Chris, Annie and Monica) will sit together around the fondue pot and on Christmas Day gather again for a family brunch. My prayer is that the peace and joy of this Holy Day will illumine our gathering and make smooth the rough edges that so often complicate family gatherings.

On Christmas morning, Pat and I will make one of our increasingly rarer joint singing appearances. Again this year we will lead the singing of carols at the 9:00 a.m. Mass.

This email includes the bulletin articles I've written to my congregation. The first column focuses on how we experience Christmas as adults. The second is an insert I included with this weekends bulletin.

May your Christmas be truly blessed. I thank God for your friendship and prayers.

Ray

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Dec 25th, 2005 Bulletin

"Christmas at St. Mary's"

December 25, 2005 - Christmas - The Nativity of the Lord

We Know What Christmas means to Kids. What Does ChristmasMean to Adults?

Its here at last and seemingly too soon. For those of you reading this on Christmas morning . . .
- the Christmas Eve Pageant has been acted out,
- the Christ child has been placed in the manger,
- Silent night has been sung by candlelight.

Santa too arrived last night as promised. With toys and candy for children everywhere. Brightly wrapped presents which only hours ago resided under the tree – have now been shared and opened. Bags of torn wrapping paper now await discarding.

Its Christmas morning. Only one tradition remains - Christmas morning Mass.

In the midst of the calm following the storm - a few questions remain to be considered. What are we celebrating? What does Christmas mean to us adults?

Are we commemorating the birth of the historical Jesus?
- Jesus - who was born while singing angels, surprised a few shepherds
under a starry sky?
- Born when a light appeared in the heavens with unusual brilliance and the
star-studying Magi followed it to find the Child who would be King. Once upon a time, It happened. Is that it?

This Christmas morning . . . are we just commemorating an event that happened? Or are we celebrating an event that IS HAPPENING – today. And, if it isn't happening today, what are we doing? Why do we bother? Is the birth of this particular blessed baby - some 2000 years ago still capable of bringing forth Angelic chorus’ of Peace on Earth – Good Will to All - TODAY?

Does this newly-housed Soul still unite people separated by age and race, gender, creed and a multitude of other diversity and awaken our awareness of the presence of God’s presence with us today?

For adult Christians, the challenge of Christmas is to bridge the gap and connect past and present In a Real way.

For adult Christians, while nostalgia and sentimentality may continue to be a part of Christmas, they cannot be all there is to our Christmas. Not if God’s plan is to be fulfilled. Not if peace on earth and good will for all are ever to become reality in this world.

This Christmas let us remember the Bethlehem birth, but then, let it ... change the way we think, change the way we act toward each other and those who are different than us, change the way we live.

Let the knowledge of Emmanuel – God with us – help us
- live without anxiety, negativity, and bitterness
- live with hopeful optimism
- live, not as sinful people – but as graced people - right now, TODAY.

This Christmas, may the knowledge of Emmanuel – God with us – help us to more fully appreciate the gifts God has bestowed on each of us so that the entire world, beginning with the first person we greet each day may hear and know the Good News of God’s love from our lips and our touch.

For God so loved each one of us . . . that he gave his only son to live with us – today and every day so we might learn to live in peace.

Emmanuel, God is with us! Not God was with us once - 2000 years ago.

The challenge for adult Christians is to really believe God is with us, to know, to love, to live God with us, to reflect the glory of God with us, to cooperate and be willing for God with us to teach, heal, drive out demons and to raise the dead through us.

The challenge for adult Christians is to surrender and become a vessel, a conduit for the flow of God's grace, energy and healing, today! Now!

We are asked to serve as co-creators in loving and healing the Creator's world. You and I are asked to become willing to be true miracle workers! As a person, as community, we are challenged to act and live as God with us, Emmanuel.

We are asked to participate in the positive, on-going blossoming of God - giving birth to God.

- May your Christmas be blessed.
- May your Spirit burn bright and radiate the glory of God.
- Rejoice and be glad.

Emmanuel. God is with us today!

Christmas at St. Mary's

On this our second Christmas at St. Mary's, Pat and I continue to thank God for the rich blessing of being with you. Your wonderful acceptance of my ministry as your pastoral administrator has demonstrated your kindness, and deep faith in God whose presence we celebrate today. Emmanuel - God is with us is the reality of our daily lives - on Christmas and throughout the year.

A special word of welcome to the many visitors who join us at Saint Mary’s this Christmas weekend. We are truly blessed by your presence. If you reside in the Bath area, we encourage you to become active weekly members of our vibrant , involved and very caring faith community here at Saint Mary’s. Perhaps as never before, the value of an active religious faith
can be helpful in dealing with the multiple challenges of our daily life. If I, or any of our staff can help you in your journey of faith, please do not hesitate to call.

During the Advent Season the talent, goodness, and generosity of Saint Mary's parishioners has been especially evident.

Christmas Concert
Thursday night’s Concert by our Choir and Bell Choir was nothing short of outstanding. Certainly a highlight for me was the performance of a new Christmas song by our organist and Director of Liturgy Bill Grimmer. Saint Mary’s is truly blessed to have had Bill as a thirty year member of our parish and parish staff. Today, good organists are very hard to find. Bill is regarded throughout the Diocese of Rochester as one of the very best. I’ve also found his understanding of the Liturgy to be unmatched. Saint Mary’s is also blessed by the talent and dedication of our Choral and Bell Choir Director Betty Gerych. Betty and Bill work as a team to plan our exceptional Sunday Eucharist and to rehearse our outstanding choir and bell choir. Thursday’s concert featured the solo and duet talents of many choir members as well as a flute solo by Jessica Sokolowski and
performances by both Men’s and Women’s Ensembles.

Our Giving Tree
The gift requests placed on the Giving Tree at St. Mary's resulted in an abundance of requested clothing items which were distributed to 32 needy area families. The estimated value of these gifts was $5,700.

Once again this year, our Social Ministry Coordinator Karen Grimmer personally met with each family to discuss their needs and eligibility. Gifts placed under the Giving Tree filled custodian George Hoffman’s pick-up truck three times. On Wednesday, December 14, Karen organized a team of volunteers who distributed the gifts to delighted and very grateful families.

Care and Share
Meanwhile the Knights of Columbus assisted 210 families with food baskets. Through the K of C’s “Care and Share” event - 187 families (396 children) found toys under their Christmas Tree donated by individual and family “Santas” from throughout Steuben County.

An Automotive Miracle
Last weekend, I announced that I had been approached by three families who were in need of reliable transportation.

Within the day, a parishioner stepped forward with the keys and title to a 2001 Dodge Dakota truck which has since been given to a family needing reliable transportation to work, school and church. The family was “blown away” that their prayers had been answered and the donor expressed joyful thanks for the opportunity to make such a gift. The truck had been advertised for sale but had not had a buyer. “It was God’s plan that the truck be donated” suggested the donor. Do you believe in miracles?

There still remains a need for two additional automobiles. If you have a car to donate, you may wish to do so before the end of the year so your donation will count toward your 2005 tax deductions.

Parishioners to “Match” December Heating Gifts

Speaking of generous donors, this past year we have on several occasions been blessed by the generous matching donations of a parishioner couple. On two occasions they have matched money donated to our monthly “Can and Quarter” collection which helps us offer clothing vouchers, gas cards and other assistance to needy area individuals and families.

Following a weekend when our thermostat went on the frizz and nearly froze some parishioners to their pews, these generous folks offered to match “Heating Donations” received during December.

Since our November heating bill was a record $3,800 - and the winter cold has just begun - this donation could be very significant to us. That’s why I’ve placed a special envelope in the pews this weekend. If you are able to make a special donation to help us meet our soaring heating bills - please use this special envelope or the one that came with your packet of envelopes.

New Year's Eve Party
There is still time to reserve a table or a place at the table at our gala New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance. Once again Helen Binkowski, Karen Grimmer and their team of party planners and cooks have put together a wonderful evening of fun, food and dancing. Last year’s party was nothing short of a great time.

The menu includes a sumptuous buffet with prime rib, chicken breast , vegetarian pasta and more. Add in homemade pies, cakes and baklava, hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast, noisemakers, party hats and dance music by Bob Ainsworth and for $25 per person, you can’t beat the price.

To reserve a table (6 - 8) or a place at a table, stop by or contact the parish office 776-3327.

Thank You!
In addition to those mentioned earlier, thanks is due to . . .

Mary Carol Wall for preparing prayer and scripture cards for the Sundays of Advent and to the young people who distributed the cards at each Mass.

To Barbara Bailey, our bookkeeper/secretary who has helped us move into the black while keeping the office in good humor.

To Michelle Ferrara who has finished her first month as parish secretary.

To our custodian George Hoffman for his work to ready the outside and inside manger for Christmas.

To Jo Slovak and our Parish Council Jim Gallagher, Mary McConnell, Sean McKinley, Bill MacNamara, Rosemary States and Kathy Warren

To our Finance Council members: Rita Dwyer, Joe Janovek, Keith Russell, Mike Slovak and Martha Waight as well as outgoing member Jerry Teifer.

To Al Hanning and Paul Wolfe who serve on our CSCP Planning and Implementation Committee.

To Todd Martin and the members of our Building and Grounds Committee: Stephanie Czajkowski, Al Hall, Ken Hopkins, Steve Orcutt and Tom Sestak for ushering us through several major projects during 2005.

To Mary Eaton, Marge Eichensehr, Mary Faucett, Frieda and Rosa Fiordo, Agnes Harvey, Betty Langendorfer, Janice Luta, and other great ladies who dedicate untold hours to our parish each week.

To our Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound, Sacristans, Assemblies and all who bring Christ others.

To our Resurrection Assembly and Bereavement Luncheon volunteers for their ministry to grieving families.

To our Sunday Supper volunteers and all who donate food to parish events.

To Al and Evie Hanning and the volunteers who provide our monthly Pancake Breakfasts and families who host or underwrite our Coffee Hours.

To our International Food Festival team and volunteers.

Deb and Bill Brinkhus for your gifts of Opletek for the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas Candy Canes.

To the volunteers who helped decorate the church for Christmas.

To our Choir and Bell Choir for an excellent concert and year-round music.

To the families that volunteered or were volunteered to light candles on the Advent wreath.

To all who prepared and served a delicious meal to Rotarian’s and their guests when the Rotary Christmas Party relocated to O’Malley Hall.

To Stephanie Czajkowski, Mary Beth Boyd and the team of parents and children who prepared and presented our Christmas Eve Gospel Pageant.

To Fr. Frank Erb, Sr. Anne Michelle McGill, Deacon Ed Wight, Dan Williams and Fr. John Wydeven for their presiding, preaching and ministry.

To anyone that my rapidly approaching senility has caused me to forget.

To parishioners and friends who sent Christmas greetings or special gifts to the parish or gifts to Deacon Ray, Fr. Erb and Fr. Wydeven during the Christmas season.

With prayers for you and those you love at Christmas and throughout the New Year

Have a good Christmas week. Serve one another well.

I pray that you will enjoy this visit, and if you like,
                                          E-Mail me with your comments

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