Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Prayer Service
Tomorrow evening, Monday, November 20 at 7pm at Firestone Park Presbyterian Church, there will be an Ecumenical Prayer Service in honor of Thanksgiving.  The religious groups of our area thought that we should all get together as a Firestone Park community and offer thanks to God.  While there are differences in our religious beliefs, one thing we can come together on is thanking God for His many blessings. Since on Thanksgiving Day itself, different communities have their own customs, and people often spend much of the day with family, we thought to have it on the Monday of Thanksgiving week so more people can attend. I look forward to seeing some great St. Paul representation!
 
Mass Time on Thanksgiving Day
We have changed our normal civic holiday Mass schedule.  We will celebrate Holy Mass at 9am, Thursday morning.  We moved it earlier in the hopes that more people will participate since Thanksgiving Day is one of getting food and homes ready for family.  Why not come to Mass first?  I greatly encourage everyone, even on a busy day with family not to forget the most perfect Thanksgiving is the sacrifice of Christ offered in thanksgiving to the Father.  At Mass we participate in that perfect Thanksgiving! I hope to see you there!
 
Ad Orientem - Looking toward the East
I keep writing about this liturgical practice so that everyone knows about it and is prepared as we enter into the weeks of Advent.  As I have said before, after consulting with our Pastoral Council we have discerned to celebrate Mass ad orientem (looking toward the East) only for the four weeks of Advent.  This means that for the Offertory and the Eucharistic Prayer parts of the Mass, the priest will be facing the same direction as the gathered assembly.  This liturgical gesture is to show how all of us together are united in walking toward the Lord and awaiting His Second Coming (which is why it is so appropriate for Advent).  I will preach on this topic as well.  There are some people who very much prefer this approach, there are some who do not, and there are some who may not prefer one or the other.  My hope is that this helps us appreciate the mystery of the Mass and grow in the different options Holy Mother Church gives us for our worship.  It is not about one or the other being right or wrong, but being humble before the Mystery of God and continually challenging ourselves to enter more deeply. As always I am open to your comments or questions. 
 
May God bless you and have a great Thanksgiving!
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr