LET’S TRY THIS ONE MORE TIME: We planned to choose the names for the CVT two weeks ago. You are probably asking now: What names? What is CVT? And Why didn’t we pick them? For months now, the Cluster Leadership Team and a team of parishioners from both parishes have been creating a new way to move our vision forward: The Cluster Visioning Team (CVT). The CVT is a re-imagining of leadership with new methodology. The CVT will only meet 3 times a year, setting goals for us to address in the following months. Four action teams will create objectives for all of us to reach those goals. The CVT will meet in January, May, and September to keep us on task and create new goals for us.
You nominated fellow parish members to serve in this new capacity. I only received half the names, thus not all the nominated folks were contacted. OOPS! They have now been contacted and many have agreed to participate. This weekend at Mass, we are asking the Holy Spirit to select the individuals from those you nominated. Please pray for those who will be the founding members of the CVT. We will keep you informed about the new leaders and their progress!
HAPPY NEW YEAR: This weekend we begin a new liturgical year with Advent (from the Latin ad-venire: to come to), the season of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. The final days of Advent, from December 17 to 24, focus particularly on our preparation for the celebration of the Nativity. Just like with Lenten practices, Advent devotions prepare us spiritually, making us better disciples.
For thousands of years the world waited for the coming of the Messiah to redeem and save the human race, restoring humankind’s relationship to God. We, too, experience this same longing for the coming of Christ. Whether we realize it or not, each one of us is spiritually hungry and longing for the coming of Christ into our hearts as the Holy Spirit draws us into ever deepening relationship with Him. Let’s help satisfy that hunger and make Advent a special time!
Here are a few suggestions to help us fully participate: attend our Advent Tea (see p. 3); pray daily before meals with your advent wreath (visit the USCCB website for some good suggestions); reflect on the daily mass scriptures; host an Advent Sunday Dinner: a nice dinner or potluck with family & friends to light the candles on your Advent wreath and invite all to pray. Go to Confession – a key part of preparing room for the coming of Christ into our hearts; grab tags from our Giving Tree and do a good deed for the less fortunate, pray for those who will come here at Christmas, AND invite someone to attend Christmas mass with you! We have little cards available to help you make that invitation something your invitees can hang on to! See our ushers to get yours!
God bless you!
Fr. J.J.