The Church allows for time at weekend Masses for announcements to be made.  While somes churches use lay ministers to make these announcements, I have chosen to be the one to make these announcements of upcoming events because I often will offer encouragement to participate in whatever is being announced. Though I cannot and will not announce everything that's upcoming (that's why I urge you to always read the entire bulletin), I believe that there are more ears listening to what is said than eyes who will read what's in the bulletin.  Those who listen at church and read the bulletin will receive a double encouragement and confirmation of what is upcoming. While I promise to do my best as we start a new calendar year to limit the number and length of announcements, I give thanks (as I hope many of you do) that we are all members of a faith community that has so much to offer us in our growth in the ways of the Lord.  Finally, for those who wonder about it, I sometimes split-up the announcements (some before Mass and some after the post-Communion prayer) for two reasons:  firstly, because we have so much going on and I don't want to risk an overload at any one moment AND secondly, because there are things that need our attention and action as we are leaving Mass and therefore, given some of our memories, are best announced right before Mass is ended.  I will try not to repeat announcements before the end of Mass that I have already made.