Happy Advent! I am grateful for the gift of this season to prepare our hearts for Christmas. Along with Lent, Advent is one of two 'penitential' seasons of the Church. While sometimes thought of as a punishment, penance is actually a commitment to bring ourselves back into alignment and right relationship with God. In order to celebrate Christmas well, I want to encourage all of our parish families to find simple but meaningful ways of doing penance this Advent as an grateful offering to God for all that He has done for you. What's one thing you can give up or take up this holy season to help you reconnect with and recommit to Christ?
Fr. Redmond Memorial Scholarship I'd like to offer you the opportunity to make a donation to the Fr. Redmond Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship to support Catholic education will provide a $1,000 scholarship for a graduating 8th grade student of St. Mary School to attend a Catholic high school of their choosing. Donors contributing $50 or more will receive a booklet highlighting the milestones of Fr. Redmond's pastorate, and donors contributing $200 or more will receive a two-volume set of Fr. Redmond's words as published in the weekly bulletins and St. Mary Messenger newsletters. This is an awesome way to honor Fr. Redmond's legacy and support families choosing Catholic education for their children! Please make your donations payable to St. Mary Parish with memo "Fr. Redmond Scholarship." You can place your donation in the collection basket, deliver to the parish office, or give online at https:// stmarychardon.org/fr-redmond-scholarship-fund.
#WeGiveCatholic (November 30) St. Mary School is excited to participate in #WeGiveCatholic on this #GivingTuesday, November 30! Gifts made to St. Mary School will help us raise funds to install a dual-sided digital sign facing North St. to help our parish and school communities welcome newcomers, share info on upcoming events, and spread the Gospel of Christ. Please visit https:// www.wegivecatholic.org/organization/St-MaryParish-School to make a donation and help us reach our goal of $30,000! You may also drop off your cash or check donation at the school or parish office on or before November 30 in an envelope with the marking or memo "WGC" and your family name (unless you would prefer your donation to remain anonymous).
Listening Session (November 30 at 6:30 p.m. - LAST CALL!) If you have not yet participated in a Listening Session yet, there's a final chance to do so on this Tuesday, November 30 at 6:30 p.m. Your insights about our parish history, what excites you about belonging to St. Mary Parish, and your dreams for our future, is very valuable to me. Participants in our past two sessions also commented how meaningful the sharing and learning was for them as well. It was wonderful hearing from a group of teens who came to the November 16 session - all of us were truly blessed by their commitment to be present! There truly is a 'network effect' that happens when we come together as God's people to listen and grow. I need you to be part of this conversation. As your new administrator, I am humbly asking you to please make arrangements to be present for this final Listening Session if you have not participated in one yet. Please see the invitation in today's bulletin and follow the instructions to register.
Thank you for your continued support and generosity to our various initiatives at the parish. I pray you have a happy start to this Advent season.