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Pastor Weekly Message For Jan 9, 2022
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January 9, 2022Dear: Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today's Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas Season. I thank God for the amazing Advent and Christmas seasons we experienced here at Saint Mary's. I rejoice to see so many of our parishioners, families, friends, and neighbors "Come Home for Christmas at St. Mary's." From the Christmas Market to Lessons and Carols, to the Christmas Tree Lighting, to the Christmas Cantata, every parish event created great memories for all our families, especially our children. But, of course, the highlight of the Christmas season was the beautiful Liturgies celebrating the birth of our Savior. So many visitors who celebrated Christmas at Saint Mary's expressed how "alive, friendly, and welcoming" our parish community is. My response is always the same: "Glory to God – We are Blessed!"
There are so many people to thank who made coming home for Christmas at St. Mary's so amazing and beautiful. I want to begin with thanking Bishop O'Connell for permitting us to celebrate a Christmas Parking Lot Mass. No one expected a surge in the coronavirus right before Christmas. The parking lot Mass was not in our original Christmas Mass schedule. The ushers counted 741 cars that filled the parking lot with 2,220 to 2,400 people able to celebrate Christmas Mass in the safety of their vehicles.
The music and worship at our Christmas Liturgies and events were absolutely beautiful. Thank you to our hundred voice Saint Mary Choir and Orchestra under the direction of our fabulous music director Malena Towers. You made coming home for Christmas at St. Mary's an amazing encounter for our people with Jesus and our wonderful parish community. All of you made Christmas so special.
Laney Wilkens so beautifully decorated our Church and Chapel with the help of Robert Lauricella. The outdoors of the campus was decorated by a crew of fine young men – all alumni of Life Teen. Yannis Gouzouassis assisted by Sean Gardiner and Paris Metz. The new manger in the Church's courtyard was built and donated by parishioner Jim Sechiano. Everyone mentioned how beautiful everything looked. Thank you for making Saint Mary's inside and out look so amazing.
Our parish hosted a dinner for people who had "no place to go" on Christmas on Christmas Day. It was so beautiful to share Christmas dinner with them as a parish family. Thank you, Jackie and Ed Kazuba and the Hospitality Committee, for arranging for and serving the dinner – and providing hospitality for all the "Come Home for Christmas at St. Mary's" events.
Thank you to all the "behind the scenes" individuals who made Christmas so special at St. Mary's, especially our Office Staff, Maintenance Staff, School, and Religious Education Staff.
One man keeps the wheels turning at Saint Mary's, and his name is Hank Pekarsky. I don't believe Hank ever sleeps. He serves our parish morning, noon, and night. Words cannot express my appreciation for all he does for Saint Mary's. Thank you, Hank! You are amazing!
I keep saying "We are Blessed" at St. Mary's. The Lord certainly pours out His Grace on our parish community. I want to thank all our parishioners for their love, generosity, and support of Saint Mary's. Sacred Scripture reminds us: '" to whom much is given, much is expected." (Luke 12:48) Let us continue to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, as together, we seek to advance His Kingdom here at St. Mary's.
In Jesus and Mary,
Father Jeff Kegley
Pastor