January 7, 2007

The Feast of Epiphany is celebrated at St. Mary's with music, incense, pageantry, carols and, of course, FOOD.

Last night's Epiphany celebration began with the 4 p.m. Mass. On a typical weekend, our magnificent choir sings at the Sunday 9:00 a.m. Mass. But last night, they shared their beautiful music at our 4 p.m. Mass. Following Mass, much of the congregation shared a dish to pass supper followed by caroling and a delightful Nativity Pageant featuring parish young people. The pageant, directed by Paul Wolfe, included a manger scene in which Wendy and Eric Griffin and their newborn Gwendolyn enacted the Holy Family. It was wonderful.

Following the Pageant we enjoyed home-made desserts.

How blessed I am to have been given the opportunity to serve this dynamic parish.

Patty and our daughter Annie are enjoying the company of Rochester based family members and friends at a baby shower honoring Anne who is expecting our first grandchild (Jackson Gabriel) in late February and her cousin Meghan Best who is due in early March. The girls have all the fun.

Ray

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Bulletin: January 7, 2007

January 7, 2007

The word epiphany means “manifestation.” Today we celebrate the manner in which Jesus was made manifest to the world. Most of the time we associate the Epiphany only with the coming of the Magi, as we heard in today’s Gospel passage. But there are actually two other epiphany moments that we celebrate in this Feast. Saint Peter Chrysologus writes that the second Epiphany moment we celebrate today is Christ’s Baptism with the accompanying appearance of the Holy Spirit above the waters. The third Epiphany is that moment Saint Peter speaks of is the first of Christ’s signs from Heaven, namely the turning of water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. In each of these epiphany moments, the glory of God was revealed more and more and the true identity of Jesus became clearer.

In our own faith we have these kinds of epiphany moments. At times God seems hidden and distant, but then something happens which makes His presence seem very clear. I think this feast challenges us in two ways. It challenges us to find God’s presence in the ordinary things of everyday life where so often we don’t see Him. But we are also challenged today to make God manifest to others. Can other people see Jesus at work in us?

Christmas Thanks

Thanks to Bill Grimmer, Betty Gerych and the members of our Bell Choir and Choir, for exceptional music and to all who celebrated Christmas with us.

Thanks also to the boys and girls whose pageant helped me proclaim the Gospel at the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass and to Stephanie Czajkowski, Mary Beth Boyd and all the parents who assisted. Thanks also to all who helped us make the decoration transition from  Advent to Christmas on Sunday, December 24. Because the Fourth Sunday of Advent fell this year on Christmas Eve, a team  of people began work immediately following the 9:00 a.m. Mass so that the church could be decorated in time for the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass.

Special thanks to the generous parishioners who took part in our annual Giving Tree project and to our Social Ministry and Parish Life Coordinator Karen Grimmer who assessed the needs of  the families to be assisted. Hundreds of clothing gifts were dispersed to 27 area families. Karen estimates that your purchases totaled about $9,000.

Kudos also to the Knights of Columbus who again distributed hundreds of new and recycled toys to area kids.

Keep in Touch with Fr. Peter

Fr. Peter left last Saturday for his five week journey home to Ghana. Father will be checking his email whenever possible and I’m sure would love to hear from you. His “on the road” email address is peteranglaa@yahoo.com.

Have a blessed week. Serve one another well.

Deacon Ray