Just a reminder -
Masses on Christmas Eve are at 4pm (live-streamed on FaceBook and in the Parish Center with extra seating);
6:00pm
and 9:00pm
Mass on Christmas Day is at 11:00am
In light on the ongoing pandemic, and due to the dramatic rise in the number of cases recently reported,we would strongly encourage EVERYONE (regardless of vaccination status) to wear a MASK at Mass this Christmas and Holy Family Sunday. Extra masks will be available if you need one.
Although masking is neither mandated nor required in Anne Arundel County, please wear a mask out of concern and consideration for those who may not be vaccinated, or who may not be able to be vaccinated (children under 5 years old). All Priests, Deacons, Seminarians, Liturgical Ministers in the Archdiocese of Baltimore will be masked and use hand sanitizer during Masses.
Please use the hand sanitizer stations located in the Narthex, Food Pantry entrance and the Parish Center.
A safe, merry and blessed Christmas to all of you. May the Christ Child be born anew in our hearts and in our world.
Peace and Goodwill to All,
Fr. Paul Sparklin
Important Announcement—
Please monitor your heath! If you are not feeling well, have a temperature over 100 degrees, sore throat, have a persistent cough or generally not feeling well, please stay home. Please utilize the hand sanitizers when you enter the Church or the Parish Center. Our 4:00pm Christmas Eve Mass will be live-streamed, as well as our Sunday, 9:30am Mass. As the numbers of positive cases of Covid-19 are increasing, I strongly encourage wearing a mask, especially for those who are not vaccinated or are immune-compromised. Please be safe and pray for all who are suffering from the coronavirus, as well as for doctors, nurses, caregivers, and all those who are working to combat the disease.
Important Announcement—
Please monitor your heath! If you are not feeling well, have a temperature over 100 degrees, sore throat, have a persistent cough or generally not feeling well, please stay home. Please utilize the hand sanitizers when you enter the Church or the Parish Center. Our 4:00pm Christmas Eve Mass will be live-streamed, as well as our Sunday, 9:30am Mass. As the numbers of positive cases of Covid-19 are increasing, I strongly encourage wearing a mask, especially for those who are not vaccinated or are immune-compromised. Please be safe and pray for all who are suffering from the coronavirus, as well as for doctors, nurses, caregivers, and all those who are working to combat the disease.
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Celebrating the Feast of the Holy Family the day after Christmas Day, we see the “effect” of Jesus’ birth on the world: God becomes flesh and makes all flesh holy. Jesus existed as part of a human family, and so made family life holy. The love of husband and wife, the love of parents for children and children for parents, the fraternal love of brothers and sisters all reflect the holiness of God’s love for us. Family life can be challenging, but we also see the capacity for selfless love for those dearest to us. This is a time to give thanks for the blessing of our own families: for those near and far, and for those who have gone before us.
I announced last week that the 4pm Mass in the church will also be live-streamed in the Parish Center. You will be able to view and participate during Mass and Holy Communion will be brought down to you. In order for our 4pm live-streaming to be successful, please do not use our wi-fi or “check in” on FaceBook. We will make this announcement prior to Mass. We will not be publishing a Worship Aid for Christmas and Holy Family Sunday, due to the number of choices the Presider has for his homily preparation. As usual, the readings will be overlaid during our live-streaming or you can access them at this link.
If you are not comfortable in a crowded situation, you may view it at home live or watch it later on our website. Consider attending the 9:00pm Mass on Christmas Eve or the 11:00 a.m. Mass on Christmas Day. We will have an interpreter for the Deaf at the 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass.
Mark your calendars!! Due to concerns with Covid-19 and large numbers of people, the Christmas Pageant has been moved to Sunday, January 2 at 5pm, prior to the 5:30pm Mass.
Again, here is the Mass schedule for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the Sunday after Christmas—
Friday, December 24 (Christmas Eve):
4:00pm in the Church—live-streamed, with overflow seating in the Parish Center,
6:00pm
9:00pm
Saturday, December 25 (Christmas Day):
11:00am
(No Confessions and 4:30pm Mass)
Sunday, December 26 (Feast of the Holy Family):
8am, 9:30am, 11:00am, 5:30pm
Finally, a number of folks asked for the poem I used for my homily at last weekend. The Parish Staff joins me in wishing you and yours a Blessed Christmas!
Fr. Paul
If you want,
the Virgin Mary will come walking down the road to you,
pregnant with the holy,
and she will say to you,
“I need shelter for the night –
please take me inside your heart -
my time is so close.”
Then, under the roof of your soul,
you will witness
the sublime intimacy,
the divine,
the Christ
taking birth forever,
as Mary grasps your hand for help:
for each of us
is the midwife of God -
each of us…
Yet there, under the dome of your being,
does creation come into existence eternally,
through your womb, dear pilgrim --
the sacred womb in your soul --
as God grasps your arms for help;
for each of us is His beloved servant,
never
far…
If you want,
the Virgin Mary will come walking down the street
pregnant with Light
- and she will sing…
If You Want (St. John of the Cross, 1542-1591)
(In Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West, New York: Penguin Group, 2002, translation by Daniel Ladinsky)