St. Francis of Assisi is credited with enacting the first living nativity as a means of bringing the greatest story ever told to life. His novel idea rapidly spread throughout Christendom. Presepio is Italian for creche. The Italians have a custom of including scenes from everyday life in the Presepio. The idea is that Christ is born in the here and now and not just 2000 years ago, and so he has great relevance to our lives.
The tradition of the Presepio was begun here in our parish after I took a trip to Rome in 1998 and visited the Franciscan church of Saints Cosmas and Damien. They have on display the Grand Presepio which was a gift to them from the King of Italy. It is a beautiful work of art and well worth the visit to the church.
Our Presepio will be blessed next weekend and will be on display throughout the Christmas Season. I hope you will take time to view the beautiful scene and use it as an opportunity to teach your children about the true meaning of Christmas.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Bazaar Day
Our annual Christmas Bazaar was held on November 13 & 14 and it was great fun as well as a very successful fund raiser. We raised over $18,000 to be used for furnishings for our new Faith Formation Center.
There were so many who volunteered their time and talents to make the bazaar a great success that I won't mention any names for fear of forgetting someone. I am extremely grateful to everyone who helped in so many different ways. Not only was the day a financial success but it was also a wonderful day of building community.
I am also thankful to the many parishioners who attended the bazaar and supported it by buying raffle tickets.
On another Christmas related issue I want to remind you to stop by the Christmas Tag table in the Gathering Space to select a gift tag for a needy family. Wrapped gifts should be returned to the church on December 12 and 13. These gifts help to make a joyful Christmas for a number of families in our sister parish St. Benedict.
There were so many who volunteered their time and talents to make the bazaar a great success that I won't mention any names for fear of forgetting someone. I am extremely grateful to everyone who helped in so many different ways. Not only was the day a financial success but it was also a wonderful day of building community.
I am also thankful to the many parishioners who attended the bazaar and supported it by buying raffle tickets.
On another Christmas related issue I want to remind you to stop by the Christmas Tag table in the Gathering Space to select a gift tag for a needy family. Wrapped gifts should be returned to the church on December 12 and 13. These gifts help to make a joyful Christmas for a number of families in our sister parish St. Benedict.
Monday, November 16, 2009
CATHEDRAL TURNS 50
The Archdiocese of Baltimore is blessed to have two beautiful Cathedrals. The Basilica of the Assumption our nation's first Catholic Cathedral and the co-Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.
On Sunday November 15 I had the opportunity to attend the mass celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. The mass was celebrated by Archbishop O'Brien and he was joined by retired Bishop William Newman, Auxiliary Bishop Mitch Rozanski, Bishop Emeritus of Raleigh,NC Joseph Gossman(Bishop Gossman ordained me 35 years ago at my home parish of St. Patirck in Cumberland) and Rev. Msgr. Robert Armstrong Rector of the Cathedral. Joining the Bishops for the mass were 10 priests who have served at the Cathedral. I served as an associate there in 1995 and 96 before I came to St. Francis. The mass was presided over by His Eminence Cardinal William Keeler.
It was a beautiful and moving celebration. The melodious sounds of the Cathedral Choir, the smell of incense and the rainbow of colors shining through the stained glass windows truly lifted you to a higher and more serene place. It reminded me how fortunate we as Catholics are to have such wonderful traditions and how the celebration of the Eucharist can take us from our daily lives to a place where we meet God.
This celebration was also one of Thanksgiving for 25 years of service as Rector by Msgr. Robert Armstrong. In his 25 years as Rector Msgr. Armstrong has been a loving and strong leader and pastor for the members of the Cathedral Parish. They will miss him as was evidenced by the prolonged standing ovation he received. I have known Msgr. since the early 80's and feel privileged to call him a friend. Even though he is officially retiring on December 31 I know that his ministry to God's people will continue.
If you have not had the opportunity the visit either of our co-Cathedrals I encourage you to put a visit on your must do list.
For information on the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen click here: http://www.cathedralofmary.org/
On Sunday November 15 I had the opportunity to attend the mass celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. The mass was celebrated by Archbishop O'Brien and he was joined by retired Bishop William Newman, Auxiliary Bishop Mitch Rozanski, Bishop Emeritus of Raleigh,NC Joseph Gossman(Bishop Gossman ordained me 35 years ago at my home parish of St. Patirck in Cumberland) and Rev. Msgr. Robert Armstrong Rector of the Cathedral. Joining the Bishops for the mass were 10 priests who have served at the Cathedral. I served as an associate there in 1995 and 96 before I came to St. Francis. The mass was presided over by His Eminence Cardinal William Keeler.
It was a beautiful and moving celebration. The melodious sounds of the Cathedral Choir, the smell of incense and the rainbow of colors shining through the stained glass windows truly lifted you to a higher and more serene place. It reminded me how fortunate we as Catholics are to have such wonderful traditions and how the celebration of the Eucharist can take us from our daily lives to a place where we meet God.
This celebration was also one of Thanksgiving for 25 years of service as Rector by Msgr. Robert Armstrong. In his 25 years as Rector Msgr. Armstrong has been a loving and strong leader and pastor for the members of the Cathedral Parish. They will miss him as was evidenced by the prolonged standing ovation he received. I have known Msgr. since the early 80's and feel privileged to call him a friend. Even though he is officially retiring on December 31 I know that his ministry to God's people will continue.
If you have not had the opportunity the visit either of our co-Cathedrals I encourage you to put a visit on your must do list.
For information on the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen click here: http://www.cathedralofmary.org/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
