Hello families, this Wednesday our 7th and 8th graders will be doing a service project to help our St. Vincent de Paul Society. They will be wrapping the large boxes used for the Christmas packages for each family. The other students will be decorating wooden ornaments for our parish Christmas trees.
In today’s gospel, John the Baptist appears in Judea preaching a message of repentance. We do many things to get ourselves ready for our celebration of Christmas: purchase gifts, prepare Christmas cards, decorate our homes. John’s call of repentance in preparation for Jesus reminds us that our repentance is another way in which we can prepare for the Lord’s coming and our celebration of Christmas. Parish communities often offer a communal celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Advent season. Your family might choose to participate in the communal celebration of the sacrament, or you might seek out the sacrament on an individual basis.
Read together today’s Gospel. Talk about how John reminds the people that they prepare for the reign of God by reforming their lives. As a family, prepare a simple reconciliation service in preparation for Christmas such as the following: Gather in a prayerful space, perhaps around your family Advent wreath. Read again today’s Gospel: Matthew 3:1-3. Invite each family member to pray silently, asking God to forgive their sins. Pray together an Act of Contrition. Then celebrate God’s forgiveness by sharing a Sign of Peace with each other.
- Wednesday 12/7/22 – K-8 classes 5:30pm to 7pm, Service Projects
- Wednesday 12/14/22 – K-8 classes 5:30pm to 7pm, Faith Formation presentation of the Nativity