Last night as I watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas" which was being celebrated for the 50th anniversary of its initial showing, I marveled not only about its simple message of "what Christmas is all about," the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, but also of its emphasis on the temptation to focus attention on the "commercialism" and "materialism" of the season.  In some way, one could argue that this beloved animated Christmas Special was prophetic in pointing out this temptation 50 years ago, and sadly we see it clearly and strongly happening in the times in which we are living.  Earlier and earlier it seems each year we are inundated with commercials that urge us to get into the spirit of the Christmas season by buying and buying more things.

After receiving my new 2016 liturgical desk calendar and appointment book, I started putting in to it, dates for 2016 that have already been scheduled.  One of these dates for our parish (that I hope you will mark on your 2016 church calendar), is the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday, April 9, at 4:00 p.m.  Bishop Taylor will be here to confirm three of our teenagers, Madeline Bonilla, Samuel Browne and Jacob Semmler who are preparing to receive the sacrament by attending classes each Wednesday at Religious Educations for Youth (REY) and by accumulating service hours during the year.  While we have a small group of teens to be confirmed, there is the possibility of adding to our Confirmandi with adults who, for one reason or another, have never been confirmed.  If you are one of these people, I invite you to call me at 209-2502 or Deacon John at 226-5506 in the next few weeks.  If needed, we can have a one-on-one, short catechetical session or a group gathering for a few weeks - some time after the beginning of the new year and in plenty of time before April 9.  The graces of the Sacrament of Confirmation  (an outpouring of the Holy Spirit) are a blessing to teens and adults who receive it.

When it's all said and done, we might have a good number of people to be confirmed here at Sacred Heart Church on April 9.  If you know of anyone who has not been confirmed, encourage them to take the first step of talking to me or Deacon John.

I believe everyone would agree with me that there is a difference between an announcement and an invitation.  Our bulletin contains both each week.  Invitations in the bulletin bring with them encouragement to participate in happenings here in the parish and elsewhere.  I want to take the time to invite (encourage) participation by all parishioners in two future happenings, our annual Mass of Remembrance on December 3 at 9:00 a.m., followed by a reception in the Lower Hall and our Advent Parish Mission on December 7-9 given by a Vincentian Father, Ron Hoyle. In the case of the Mass of Remembrance, we will be lifting up to the Lord, deceased relatives of our parishioners who died in this past year.  This includes parishioners of Sacred Heart, as well as family members of our parishioners who died elsewhere.  This Mass will give all parishioners the chance to pray for the deceased and to offer support to those who have lost their loved ones.  I believe you will find it worthwhile to attend.