Welcome to the month of December and the beginning of the new Liturgical year, “C.” A new liturgical year is the beginning of a new step on our spiritual journey and an invitation to grow closer to Christ. The Church urges us to take the beginning of the liturgical year as seriously as we take the new calendar year. Just as we do for the calendar year, we are encouraged to consider making some new year resolutions at the beginning of Advent to help us grow in our spiritual life.
We have several exciting events coming up during this Advent season! Be on the lookout for a special newsletter arriving soon in your mailbox.
Several end-of-the-year gatherings are happening throughout December. On Wednesday, December 1st, we had a beautiful joint Pastoral and Finance Council Christmas party hosted by Pastoral Council President, Frank and Dianne Polimene. Similarly, we will have a joint St. Benedict and St. John Bosco Staff Christmas party on Friday evening.
December 8
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, on Wednesday, December 8, is a Holy Day of Obligation. We will offer Masses at 9am and 6:30pm in the St. John Bosco Multi-purpose Room, and at 12 Noon in the Annex 2 Chapel across from the Parish Office.
December 10
We will have an outdoor School Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at 9am in the St. John Bosco School Courtyard.
December 12
Given that the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe falls on a Sunday this year, we will offer a Spanish Mass at 1pm in the St. John Bosco School MPR. Please come and join us as we honor our Blessed Mother and the Patroness of our Phoenix Diocese.
December 15
Our students from St. John Bosco School will hold the annual Christmas Concert outside in the school Courtyard at 6pm. Come with your camp chair and join us as we support our students.
December 21
We will hold our St. Benedict Advent Penance Service at 7pm in St. John Bosco School MPR. We are expecting about ten priests to be present to hear Confessions. Plan to make this evening part of your Advent as you prepare for the arrival of Christmas.
Check out the parish newsletter, the bulletin, and parish website for Christmas schedules and other information. I look forward to seeing you and your family at one of our Christmas Masses!
Each year the Diocese of Phoenix puts out an Advent and Christmas Resource for Families which includes videos, prayers, blessings, songs and lots more for many of the special days between now and the beginning of the year! Click here to see it now. (Link: https://en.calameo.com/read/00621772435005daf68f1 )
Have a wonderful weekend and remain blessed!
Fr James Aboyi, VC
Pastor
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