Out and about, it is already Christmastime, but in Church, we are beginning the season of Advent, a time of spiritual preparation for Christmas. Advent is not the penitential season of Lent, but it is a time of joyful spiritual preparation for Christmas. As we take time to prepare our homes for the holiday, I encourage you to also take time to prepare your heart to receive Jesus. During the coming busy days of Advent, I encourage you to reflect on the true meaning of the season: anticipating Jesus Christ not just at Christmas, but every moment of our lives and eventually at the end of time. Take time to pray and reflect. Take a Little Blue Book for your personal prayer and reflection. Schedule a time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Donate to the St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Outreach collection. Maybe most importantly during these days, be patient and be kind to one another.
As a new liturgical year begins, it is fitting to look back on this year with gratitude. I am most grateful that our parish family is committed to Sunday Eucharist in such strong numbers. Every year in October, parishes count the number of people attending Mass and submit those numbers to the Archdiocese for tracking and demographic purposes. This year, an average of 509 people attended weekend Masses at St. Margaret, similar to the 516 in 2023, but certainly up from 437 in 2022, 390 in 2021, and 250 during the first Covid year of 2020. Attendance at Mass at St. Margaret is the highest it’s been since 2013! Let’s keep showing up and inviting others to experience the liturgy and community at St. Margaret.
This autumn, we had a successful Stewardship season to reinvigorate our parish community, which included Nametag Sundays, speakers, and the Ministry Fair. I hope that we continue and increase that spirit of hospitality and welcome, participation in our parish life, and financial generosity. As 2024 comes to a close, may I ask you to consider an end-of-the-year gift to St. Margaret? Maybe $125 in honor of our Quasquicentennial, or any amount that you are able to give!
Our Feast Day celebration earlier this month was a great success and a wonderful tribute to our patroness. St. Margaret of Scotland. The Mass was festive and joyful; the vignette about our parish history was inspiring; the music was especially festal and jubilant; and the Feast on Flad was filled with adults and children strengthening the bonds of community and friendship with hot dogs, s’mores, and scotch!
Our parish school just had a successful visit from the Archdiocese as part of our School Improvement Process, and our children in school continue to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and faith under the leadership of Mr. Holley, Mrs. Villmer, and our outstanding teachers. Our St. Vincent de Paul Society, our Living Justice Ministries, and our Respect Life Apostolate continue to challenge us to greater participation in the works of justice and to provide opportunities for our parishioners to make a difference to those most in need. The Ladies Auxiliary, the PTA, Young Professionals, Youth Ministry, the Scouts and so many other parish organizations provide opportunities for friendship and fellowship and offer wonderful support and assistance to so many parish initiatives.
On this Thanksgiving weekend, I’m grateful to our Parish Staff – Carmela, Deborah, Ruth, Michael, and Orin – who collaborate so well with me to lead and serve our parish. I’m grateful to each of you for the many ways you participate in the life of our parish. And I’m most grateful to God for the privilege of serving this vibrant parish as his priest. May God continue to bless all of us!