A Word or Two of Thanks.

I want to say thank you to so many kind folks who gave of their time and talents to make our Christmas liturgies so reverent and special. So much takes place over the months and weeks before we gather for Christ-mas to ensure that our church and our celebrations go off so well. Even though the Church has been doing this for some 2,000 years—it still takes a great deal of effort to bring the celebrations of the Mass to fruition.

I want to thank those who saw to it that the church looks inviting and festive for our liturgies. This means that many hours and ideas were spent ordering flowers, planning decorations, designing fabrics, Barbara Hopkins and Terry Longo get rave reviews for planning, ordering and hanging all the wreaths—indoors and out—and the entire garland. Days (and I do mean days) were spent trimming wreaths, attaching bows, and placing them perfectly on doors and walls. Trees were put up, and poinsettias were perfectly placed around the altar. Thank you, Ladies. Kathi Bonner, Michelle Rice, Mike Grappone, and Kathy Reilley unpacked and placed the crèche before the altar and made sure the church itself was readied for our celebrations. Kathy Moore saw to it that the altar linens and festive colors were not only cleaned and steamed to perfection, but they were placed with great care to set the stage for our liturgies. Janet Fisher designed, ordered and created the beautiful floral display behind the tabernacle. I think it looks beautiful and the colors and textures are magnificent. With the help of her daughter, son-in-law, and grand-children (the Driscoll family), the packages were wrapped and hung upon the wall, transforming the Ad-vent decorations into Christmas ones. I thank Janet and her family for all their help. Dennis, Cricket, Brian and Gregory Hannon took down all that was Advent and hung-up all that is Christmas. Their help, from liturgical season to liturgical season is greatly appreciated!

To our music director, Susan Zybert and all who helped her—Mercedes Featherston, LoriAnn Ruiz, our cantors and choir members—the children’s choir, the adult choir, and the Contemporary Music choir, with Erin Leavitt-Smith conducting—all made our celebrations sound beautiful. Many months of practice and study went into both the liturgical music as well as the concerts beforehand. I truly appreciate not only all the talent offered so freely to our parish but also the hours and hours of dedication. We are truly blessed to have so many good people involved. And that goes doubly so to all of our altar servers, lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Your support and reverences are fantastic. And finally, thanks to all of our faithful parishioners. Your support—time, talent, participation, and resources—continue to make St. Catherine of Siena Parish the Light of Christ in our community and beyond. I thank you for all that you do!

I wish you all, peace, joy, good health, abiding faith, and prosperity in all ways this Christmas season and in the New Year and beyond!

Thank you,
-Fr. Michael Whyte

N.B. If I forgot anyone by name, I do apologize…I am only human…and getting older.