Dear Friends,
It has been a busy month indeed! I am so very grateful to you, my dear SJE family, for always being there for our parish. Your generosity is astounding, and it enables us to do so much more than one individual can possibly doon his/her own.
If anyone should ask you what you do for charity and service as a Catholic, you can proudly tell them about all that you do through our vibrant and giving community of faith-filled parishioners, which is the theme of this letter.
This past week was the most delightful time of our Outreach program. It felt like the culmination and best expression of all that we do. Here are the highlights:
I want to take this opportunity to highlight all of our other outreach accomplishments this year, along with those who have made it all possible, including each one of you who help and/or donate to our Outreach and Social Concerns ministries.
In addition to all the above, you have been generous in helping the Holy Cross Missionary Co-op from Mexico, our Sister Diocese in the Dominican Republic, and Catholic Charities.
We also have a number of ministries that serve the faith, spiritual, and psychological needs of our parishioners and the larger community:
While I am counting all the blessings that our parishioners provide through acts of kindness and service, I must not forget to mention the many wonderful things done by the following ministry, committee, and crew volunteers. I offer my heartful gratitude to each of you for your incredible dedication and commitment.
Our dedicated Liturgical Ministry volunteers serve our parish as Altar Servers, Ushers, Greeters (Hospitality Ministry), Sacristans, EMHCs, and Lectors. A special thanks to the children who participate so beautifully in our liturgies and to those who train and coordinate them.
We also have volunteers who prepare people prepare people for the sacraments: the Baptism Prep Team, those who help with First Communion and Confirmationprep, the OCIA Ministry, and the Wedding Coordinators.
Those who volunteer in our Faith Formation program deserve special recognition: the Catechists and their assistants for the SJE Kids (K – 5th grade students), Anchored in Faith (6th – 8th grade students) , and Fiat (high school students) programs. And we mustn’t forget those who made our annual Vacation Bible School program possible.
In addition, there are the many volunteers who serve our parish through the Music Ministry, the Art and Environment Committee, the Reception Ministry, the Altar Guild, the Altar Linens Ministry, the Media Ministry, the Digital Media Ministry, the CRHP teams, the Respect Life Ministry, the Church Cleaning teams, the Gardening Crew, the Guardians of the Grotto, the Coffee and Donut Ministry, and the Welcome Ministry.
We also are blessed to have people involved in ministries that pray for us and for the many others in need of prayers. We are grateful to these ministries: Flourish Our Faith, Kerygma Healing Prayer, Charismatic Prayer Group, Contemplative Prayer Group, Small Christian Communities, Small Spanish Christian Community, Men of St. Joseph, those who lead the Rosary before and after various Masses, and to Peter and Fran who lead the Rosary at the Grotto.
Finally, recognition and thanks to the many often invisible individuals who accept my assignments “on the go.” Praise God for these, and for the many others who help anytime for any occasion without hesitation.
I offer a special word of thanks to those who participated in Our Catholic Appeal 2023, helping the Diocese of Orlando reach out to many people in need of food, housing, and medical assistance. Through OCA, you have helped our diocesan Seminarians, Deacons and Priests in their formation, and your generosity has also helped the Diocese keep up with its wonderful liturgies.
I am so indebted to each and every one of you, my dear brothers and sisters. On behalf of Fr. Vincent, Deacon Rick, Deacon Mike, Deacon Lee, almost– Deacon Tom Buddington, and our lovely staff, I thank all those who volunteer and for your generosity that makes it possible for us to reach out to people in need and to provide all the that goes into creating our liturgies and addressing the spiritual needs and growth of our congregation. Together, we help form a community that walks together, shoulder to shoulder, into the life that glorifies the Lord and does Hiswork.
Do not forget, my dear friends, to share with everyone you meet that deep, abiding joy rooted in Christ! You can’t share Christ’s love without JOY in your heart and on your FACE as well!
By the way, the Christmas Season begins now. We just finished Advent. So do not pack away your nativity sets until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which we celebrate on Monday, 8 January 2024. Until then, discover the serenity and joy that comes from meditating daily on the Nativity Scene.
Please note: on Monday, 1 January 2024, we will have 2 Masses to celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God: 10 a.m. in the church and 4 p.m. in the Grotto.
On behalf of Fr. Vincent, the Deacons, and the Staff, I wish you all a Blessed and Joyful Christmas! Maythe Child Jesus penetrate our busy world with his healing and merciful light. Have a wonderful Christmas week!
With Love,
Fr. John