As the Christmas season comes to a close with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord—and we return to Ordinary Time until Lent—I want to take a moment and some space to express my sincere appreciation to everyone who participated in making the Church look, feel and sound so beautiful during our Christmas celebrations:
Flowers and decorations—there are many people who give of their time and talent to see to it that the church, atrium, vestibule and Russell Hall are bedecked to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord. From the flowers that surround and enlivened the sanctuary, the Christmas Trees, wreaths and garland, to the welcoming, greetings and music. I need to thank Janet Fischer, Ale Palomo, Kathy Moore who makes and cares for the altar linens, Marghan Pendergast, Bernie Slattery, Barbara Hopkins, Terry Longo, Marlena Snecinski, Mike Grappone, Juan Palomo, Matias Palomo, Matthew Harvill, Christopher Harvill, and Will Pendergast—and Julia McCabe who did a broad in-store and on-line search for the perfect white doves on the wreaths for all the beautiful
decorations.
Music and Musicians—Susan Zybert, our music director, under who’s leadership we hear beautiful and always appropriate selections of sacred hymns and Christmas songs at all of our liturgies, comprised of hours and hours of planning work and musical practices with the choirs and cantors, and musicians. The choir members—adult, children and contemporary—themselves and musicians such as trumpeter Dan Luddy, violinist Michael Winer, percussionist Ed Wrobel, flutist Andrea Wlochowski, accompanist Mercedes Featherstone and leader and accompanist Nicole Levesque for the uplifting music and songs
Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors and Ushers—who in harmony bring about the smooth expression of the Rites of the Mass. It is important that for the Mass to be fully expressed as offered by Christ and His Church we have well-trained and committed servers—and St. Catherine of Siena is abundantly blessed in this important celebration. If mentioned by name I’d need two more pages...
The Liturgy Committee—a wonderful group of committed lay people who throughout the course of the year and in all the Seasons of the Church plan and execute the Sacred Rites that comprise our liturgical celebrations. Their time and talent throughout the year is greatly appreciated: Kathi Bonner, Susan Zybert, Janet Fischer, Bernie Slattery, Barbara Hopkins, Ale Palomo, and Marghan Pendergast.
Our Parishioners—who attend the Masses, support the Church with their treasure as well as their time and talents make this a vibrant and growing parish, a parish that is alive in it’s praise and worship, both in Word and deeds, to give honor and glory to God. I wish I could name you each—but then the bulletin would become a “weighty tome” and might come across as a wee-bit prideful.
Thank you one-and-all for picking up the mantel of Baptism, for being a disciple of Christ and for being a partner in God’s Plan of Salvation, enabling His Love to unfold in your marriages, families, our community and beyond! Blessings for a grand 2020!