This weekend we celebrate the beginning of another Church Year. As we usually begin a new year with the dropping of the ball in Times Square and the big count-down, we begin the new Church Year with the First Sunday of Advent. We take some time to begin to pre-pare for the Feast of Christmas. We take some time over the next few weeks to recognize the need that we have for a Savior in our lives. We are all challenged in the midst of the busyness of this season to set some time aside daily and to prepare spiritually for the Feast of Christmas. One excellent way for us to do this is to use the Advent Reflection Book by Deacon S. James Meyer “Emerge into GREAT JOY”. This page a day book is a great way for us to prepare for Christmas by spending a few minutes daily reading and reflecting. If you remember Deacon Meyer was here for our parish mission during Lent. Another way to prepare for Christmas is to celebrate God’s mercy and forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We will have “The Light Is On For You” on December 16 from 4:00-7:00. This is an excellent time to meet our loving God in this Sacrament of His mercy and forgiveness. We will also have a Penance Service on Thursday, December 19 at 7:00 at St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament Church. As we begin this new year, let us take some time to prepare spiritually for this great feast of our Lord’s birth. HAVE A GREAT WEEK! Father Jim