We have had 4 funerals since Thanksgiving. How hardit is for the families to experience the loss of a loved one at the first holiday, especially Thanksgiving & Christmas, fol- lowing their death. But God’s grace helps us to retain our gratitude for the life of those we love and to live in hope of their resurrection.
So first we remember Charles Rooks & extend our sym- pathy to his family. One of Chuck’s children (also named Chuck) lost his wife in December of last year so this is an especially difficult time for him. May they rest in peace.
Robert Treska had been ill for 1 1⁄2 years but persevered in his prayer and his hope. He was devoted to his wife of 46 years, Dianne, and to his 3 children & 4 grandchildren. They had made a blanket with the pictures of the grandchildren on it so that he could look at them when in the hospital. May Bob find freedom from illness & death in God’s kingdom.
Bernice Kilcoyne was a very active parishioner of St. Leo’s. She was a sacristan, and she was involved in Bereave- ment ministry, among other things. She had a kind and gentle disposition and was at Mass whenever she was able. I was amazed to see her walking around at our parish festival with her walker, accompanied by her son Chris. We extend our sympathy to Chris and pledge our prayers for her.
Carolyn Geniusz was a teacher at Our Lady of Good Counsel and was named “Teacher of the Year” in 1996-97. She found her joy not only in teaching for over 33 years but also in being with her husband Ken of 54 years & her 3 grandchildren. May she rest in God’s peace.
As we begin the joyful season of Advent this weekend, please remember that there will be a wonderful video on the Mass shown on 3 Monday evenings from 7-8pm in the Parish Community Center starting this Monday, December 3rd. These videos will really help you to better understand and appreciate this prayer that is so central to our Catholic life. Questions about the Mass will be welcomed. Come spend just one hour for 3 weeks learning more about our great faith.
Next Saturday, December 8th, is the feast of the Immac- ulate Conception of Mary, a holy day of obligation (even though it falls on a Saturday as she is the Patroness of our country under this title). Mass will be at 7pm on Friday, December 7th and at 8:30am on Saturday, December 8th. Our normal 4pm Saturday Mass will still be celebrated on December 8th but that will not fulfill the holy day obligation.
I know we just finished our Thanksgiving holiday but want to offer you the times of our Christmas Masses so that you can plan ahead as you make plans with your family & friends to celebrate this great feast. As we had last year, we will have a 4pm, 7pm & 10pm Mass on Christmas Eve and one Mass at 11am on Christmas Day. Yes, our “Midnight Mass” is at 10pm. Yes, we still get calls asking if our Midnight Mass is at 10pm. Catholics can be a funny lot.