
Light a candle for the homeless and the hungry;
a little shelter from the cold.
Light a candle for the broken and forgotten;
may the season warm their souls.
Can we open our hearts to shine through the dark?
And in this special time of year may peace on earth surround us here,
and teach us there’s a better way to live.
Oh, and with every flame that burns, we must somehow learn
that love’s the greatest gift that we could ever give.
From Light a Candle, by Avalon
About a year ago, I arrived in the Town and hit the ground running, and as we light the first Advent candle and begin a new year in the Church this weekend, it’s a great opportunity to thank the incredible staffs, councils and so many volunteers who serve our parishes with such enthusiasm and love- it’s been quite a year, but we’ve remained focused on what Christ is calling us to- I pray that this season may both comfort and challenge us- as we light our churches and our homes, that the light of Christ may warm us and ignite renewal and new hope in all of us.
A new season begins, and a light shines- follow that star.
Over the next weeks, we’re rolling out the Grand Annual in both parishes, and your help this year is timely and very, very important. After 40 years of service, the boiler has died in the offices- it’s been rather nippy at 46 Winthrop, and the work to replace it has begun. There are great signs of new life and hope at St. Francis, but still challenges hover. Your generosity will help us to take on the challenges and opens the door to new opportunities to serve.
Please give generously.
Advent Prayer and Reconciliation Service
Thursday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m. at St Francis de Sales Church
This year as part of the Advent speaker series, let’s come together as a community of faith and pray for peace. Let’s give
ourselves the gift of time to slow down and ponder the many ways in which God blesses and sustains each of us in our daily lives, and longs to grow closer to each of us with unconditional love.
At the conclusion of the Service, if you choose, you may receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation privately with a priest.
We hope you will join us for this extraordinary time of prayer.