This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, remembering how the magi (Gentiles from outside the local Jewish culture) are among the first to adore the Christ child, immediately bringing a multi-cultural context to the story of Jesus. Our own celebration of this feast, using music and languages from our various ethnic origins, reminds us that our community and our worship today continues to be multi-cultural, and that we are truly enriched by the beauty of the various cultures from which we come. Our new International Choir is debuting this weekend!
Many of you have been so kind in sending greeting cards and bringing goodies to the parish office at Christmastime, many including thoughtful words of appreciation about our parish life. Your expressions of gratitude mean so much to all the members of our staff.
Each year our parish awards a $1000 college scholarship and $500 high school scholarship through the Drexel Essay Contest. The hope is that our young parishioners learn more about our patron saint through this process. The completed applications and essays are due in the parish office by 15 January, so please make sure you turn in your material on time. Our panel of judges reviews the essays anonymously. Any questions can be directed to Pat O’Connor in the Parish Office.
It takes many creative people to make our parish celebrations of the Advent/Christmas season prayerful and inspiring. Many thanks to our musicians and decorators for the way they add to the beauty of our worship. We are also appreciative to the coordinators of all of our liturgical ministries for their leadership throughout the year, especially during the pandemic.
Thanks also to those parishioners who personally shared with us at Mass during Advent how “Still We Sing Alleluia” even in the midst of personal and social turmoil: Jim Roembke, Josyane Kengni, Scott Rose, and Ana Maria Alvarado. You can find their Advent reflections on our parish website in the homily section.
