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Dear Families,
Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is usually a holy day of obligation, but since the pandemic limits our ability to be with each other, the obligation has been dispensed this season.
This is the last week of classes for our first semester of Religious Education this year. Once again, I want to extend my gratitude and appreciation for the hard work of the catechists. They work hard in any year, but having to switch course, find new ways to teach and communicate and keep their senses of humor - that was all a tall order and they measured up to it.
 It is also, and I can hardly believe this, my goodbye. As you know, I will be retiring on December 31. Even though I have had a pretty long stretch of doing this (46 years since I began running programs and teaching; 5 1/2 years here at St. Emily), in some ways it feels like I just began. I am going to miss the kids, the wonderful catechists, and the families. It has has been a joy to get to know you in my time here.
I am looking forward to a New Year with a new set of challenges. Of course, we must first get through the pandemic. I hope to do volunteer work with both refugees in my local neighborhood and on the national level with the abolition of the death penalty. These have been important issues to me for years and I am eager to be able to do more. I also hope to continue in the ministry of spiritual direction and retreats. However, if we have learned anything in 2020, God has surprises for us, so I'll see what comes my way.
I know that many clicked on this 'Kindness calendar' as a way to keep Advent. It isn't too late to get started. As we might feel cooped up by now, thinking of small ways to be kind is quite welcome.
Please remember that you can attend Sunday mass at both parishes. You need to sign up ahead of time, as spaces are limited, and we need to keep track of attendees for 14 days. For St. Thomas Becket, sign up here. For St. Emily, sign up here.
The dispensation from attending Sunday mass is still in effect, and you may still watch the livestream masses on Facebook and YouTube.
Some of those who must take extra care with infection precautions have chosen to attend a week day mass, where there are many less people. You can sign up for those with your parish, as well.
Please stay healthy, wear your masks and wash your hands!
God bless you all!
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