Text Box: SPECIAL THANK YOU! There is no doubt that our church is decorated so beautifully. Many, many parishioners have commented on how lovely it looks. I wish to thank all those who took the time to make our Christmas Altar and Nativity Scene look so beautiful: Annette Anglisano, Gary Cushing, Mary Foutz, Allison Home, and Mary Macchiarola. To all: many thanks for your giftedness. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Our Religious Education Program will resume classes this Sunday, January 4 for the following Grades: Pre-Kindergarten; First, Third, Fourth and Fifth. On Monday, January 5 classes will resume for Grades 6 and 7. Thank you! Text Box: PASTORAL COUNCIL The Pastoral Council will meet on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 8:00 P.M. in the rectory. The minutes of the last meeting were emailed. WEDNESDAYS WITH MARK On Wednesday, January 7th, we will resume our “Wednesdays With Mark” sessions after the 8:00 A.M. Mass. This will take place in the rectory. All are invited to this inspirational and enlightening sessions. HOLY HOUR Our monthly Holy Hour will be celebrated on Saturday, January 10th after the 8:00A.M. Mass. All are invited to attend this special devotion which is held before the Blessed Sacrament and is conducted during Morning Prayer. Text Box: The Epiphany Of The Lord Text Box: BVM Text Box: Assumption Text Box: From the Pastor’s Desk Dear Friends: Today we celebrate the great feast of Epiphany. According to the Gospel of Matthew King Herod attempted to manipulate the Magi into telling him where the child was. The Magi rode into Bethlehem led by the star. A crispy, blue sky frames the star, their gaze, and the awe we too find in the stable. But their story has more than a calm, clear night and a sense of peace. They did bring their treasures, but their biggest gift was leaving Herod behind. If we look to a passage of Isaiah we see where he calls us: Arise, shine; for your light has come, Darkness shall cover the earth. The Lord will rise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. The darkness part we know all too well. Yet the first word of the prophet is to remind us of Light We are told to rise out of it. How could that happen? It is because the Lord will rise. And so we will rise too. The wonderful thing about the Magi is that the Light of Christ opened their eyes to so much that when they finished their mission they returned by another route which continued to follow the Light. On this Epiphany day let us always remember to follow the Light of Christ in every way we can. Yours in Christ, Rev. Michael A. Carrano