Dear Holy Spirit,

2023 is quickly coming to a close and we will soon celebrate the beautiful holiday of Thanksgiving. And then, CHRISTMAS!!! So, before our lives become even busier (is that even possible?), I ask everyone using ParishSoft Giving, to once again review your information to ensure its accuracy. Important items to check are:

Physical Address

User ID (typically your email address)

Credit Card or Bank Information (this is important if your account or credit card number has changed)

Amount of Recurring Gift (if applicable)

Please update any information, as needed.

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Second Collection – Catholic Campaign for Human Development

This weekend our second collection is for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. In the United States, more than 11% of the population lives in poverty. Through this collection, you support programs that address the root causes of poverty and provide a sustainable future for those struggling across the country. In addition, 25% of the funds remain in our diocese to fund local anti-poverty projects. To donate, please click here, select "Second Offerings" under Funds, then select "Campaign for Human Development" under SubFund. Thank you.

Please join us on Thursday, November 23rd at 9am for Thanksgiving mass. We encourage you to bring a food item that you are going to serve for your thanksgiving meal to be blessed.

Christmas Scripture Study

Dear Alpha Participants:

At the end of Alpha Part I, many of you indicated an interest in either Scripture Study or an Advent prayer series. We are offering the following which includes both. This will be helpful In preparing for Christmas.

The three-session Scripture study is on The Infancy Narratives of Jesus. It explores the stories of the conception and birth of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The sessions for this study are on  Tuesday Nov. 28 and Tuesday, Dec 5th from 7-8:30pm in Parish Hall. If you are interested in joining, please contact Merry Reardon at merry.reardon@dsj.org.

Advent Wreaths by USCCB 

Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas and marks the beginning the Church's liturgical year. 

The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas day.  

Advent devotions including the Advent wreath, remind us of the meaning of the season. Traditionally, Advent wreaths are made of a circle of evergreen branches into which four candles are inserted, representing the four weeks of Advent.  Ideally, three candles are purple, and one is rose, but white candles can also be used.  

The purple candles symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half-over and they are close to Christmas. 

The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s birth into the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge both the living and the dead. 

The use of the Advent Wreath is a traditional practice which has found its place in the Church as well as in the home. The blessing of an Advent Wreath takes place on the First Sunday of Advent or on the evening before the First Sunday of Advent. When the blessing of the Advent Wreath is celebrated in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another member of the family. 

Advent Wreath making will be Sunday Dec 3rd from 10am-1:00pm in the Parish Hall. Please RSVP by clicking here.For any questions, please contact Merry Reardon at: merry.reardon@dsj.org

Join us for an evening of reflection, music and prayer on Dec. 11th at 7pm. Diana Macalintal will facilitate the evening.

Edge Middle School Ministry

The next Edge night will be on Wednesday, November 29th at 7:00pm. Due to scheduling, this will be the final Edge night of the 2023 calendar year!

Texas Mission Trip 2024

Registrations are now open! The Texas Mission Trip is scheduled for February 18-24, 2024. The trip marks its 10th anniversary of our National Mission trip, the 8th in San Augustine, Texas. Adults and youth as early as the 6th grade can serve. It is a great way to put faith into action. For more information, visit our website or contact Row David – row.david@dsj.org. Click here to register.

Faith Formation

Just a reminder, there is no Faith Formation Sunday/Monday November 26 & 27 and December 3 & 4. We encourage families to attend the Advent Wreath making on December 3^rd.

Domestic Church

The next Domestic Church session is Wednesday November 29 at 6:30pm in the church.

Christmas Pageant

Tryouts are November 30^th, 4:30pm in the church. Children ages 5-12 are welcome.