Dear Friends:

This weekend’s celebration of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord brings to a close the Christmas season in the Church. It has been, as it always is for many people, but not all by any means, a special and warm time of the year, a time filled with good memories. It is far too short in duration, but may we try to keep the “spirit”of Christmas going every day throughout the year. As Kris Kringle said in the film Miracle on 34th Street, “Christmas is not a day, but a frame of mind.”

I know that I speak for the other members of the clergy as well as the staff in expressing gratitude to all who sent cards, cookies and other baked goods, and gifts for Christmas. It was very much appreciated.

Now that the new parish Mass schedule has taken effect, I was encouraged to see that just about everyone made adjustments. The reduction in Masses is not necessarily a bad thing. It enhances the spirit of community that comes from having our larger churches a bit fuller, and it helps the priests to celebrate the Masses well, avoiding the temptation to be lax owing to having too many Masses to say, the temptation being to just “rattle off” or “get through” the Mass. The Mass is the central act of our faith in the Church and it must be celebrated properly and prayerfully.

I am grateful to all who have expressed an interest in counting the weekly collections. We will be arranging meetings in order to review procedures, fill out forms for background checks, set preliminary schedules, and other matters. These meetings, one during the day for those who can come during the day, another in the evening for those who can come then, will be scheduled for early February. A letter will be forthcoming in the near future. It is my hope to have the new counters start beginning with the First Sunday of Lent, which is March 9.

Speaking of volunteers, we are in need of additional lectors (readers) and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. We can use additional readers at every Mass, save the 9:30 at St. Agnes, and we can use extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at all Masses. One need not be afraid of reading in Church. Training will be provided for both ministries. If you are interested please contact the rectory at (203) 878-3571 and leave your name, the ministry you would like to do, and what Mass (es) you would prefer.

Finally, a reminder is in order now that we are in the middle of January. If the Milford Public Schools are closed because of the weather, the morning Mass will not be celebrated and all evening meetings are cancelled. This obviously applies to weekdays. On weekends, Masses will be celebrated unless a dispensation is given by the Archbishop. In every instance, though, please use good sense and stay safe. If the weather is bad and the roads are treacherous, the obligation to come to Mass is not in force.

Have a good week!

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