It is hard to believe that it is already Thanksgiving time of year but here we are again! It seems that it came around faster this year and maybe that it is true this year as the date is a little earlier than usual. I love this season of gratitude and the change of seasons as this Fall time of year.
Ever since I first arrived in the United States 34 years ago, I have loved the tradition of Thanksgiving. My first year here, I was invited to join my new friend, Rich and his family for a meal and I will never forget the incredible welcome and community I felt around that table. It was like I had a new family, and I did — I am still close with my friend and his family today. Family meals have a way of building community in ways we can never imagine.
The same is true about the table of the Lord — we seek to make all people feel welcome and ensure that nobody feels alone. Never underestimate the power of gathering for the family meal at Mass on Sunday. I ask you to smile and talk to someone every weekend when you come to church. Bring that smile home and to all others you meet in the week beyond our church doors. A few weekends ago, several parishioners who are active in our community shared with me how lonely they feel and how they ate alone at Christmas and Thanksgiving last year. Gosh! My heart sank to hear this.
This year, I plead with you to gently ask the people you know in our community around you if they are joining family or friends for Thanksgiving and if not, and if you are open to it, invite them to join your family. It will make their year! Together, let’s try to make sure everyone has a place to celebrate Thanksgiving in our community.
Speaking of gratitude, I am so thankful to be your pastor and to be here at St. Simon Parish. I simply love it here and you are a wonderful and kind community. I send my heartfelt thanks to you for your time, talent, and treasure that makes this community what it is today. In particular, thank you for your response to our financial stewardship appeal a few weekends and your continuing Sunday gift that allows us to continue as one community in faith together. Your generosity is amazing! Without your support, our community would not be what it is today. I am deeply grateful for your personal generosity that contributed to our many parish ministries. If you have yet to establish or increase your giving online, you can do so here
After Thanksgiving we launch straight into our Advent season of preparation for Christmas. This year we ask you to come to church just a few minutes early as we will start Masses a little differently. The presider will be seated in the chair along with the altar servers and we will “wait” for a minute or two as a way to slow us down for Advent and anticipate the “Lord’s coming.” We will begin with beautiful music to draw us into the season in a more peaceful way. Please come early and allow a few extra minutes to calm ourselves and ready the way of the Lord.
Next Sunday evening, St. Simon Parish will participate in the Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade on November 26 at 6:00 pm. Our float is ready thanks to the Stewart family and our cheer squad will be spreading cheer! The Bolivar and Cordoza families are preparing a table to meet at on the corner of State & 3rd streets so stop by, pick up a glow stick and enjoy the community spirit.
The following weekend at St. Simon, we have two events to kick off the Advent season. On Saturday, December 2 after the 5:00 pm Mass, we are having our first Christmas Tree Lighting event. Cisco Rivera and the team of volunteers will install the tree and lights around campus for all to enjoy during the season. We will light the new Christmas Tree in the courtyard, sing carols and have hot chocolate and cider for all to enjoy. We want to celebrate community every week of December! On Sunday, December 3 we will host our traditional Advent Wreath Making event, so please reserve your spot with this link here.
Please save the date of Saturday, December 16 for John Angotti’s “Peace on Earth” Concert with his whole band and Meredith Augustin. It will be a great night as we pray for peace, celebrate love and prepare ourselves for Christ’s birth. This is a family friendly event with Mass at 5:00 pm Mass, followed by a reception at 6:00 pm and the concert at 7:00 pm. Come and pray for peace and celebrate the community. We will have a light meal and drinks at the reception, please register for our catering purposes here.
Finally, I want to close this eBulletin with a THANK YOU and THANK GOD for the gift of life, community, and faith. Please pray for peace in our world and bring that peace into your family Thanksgiving dinner. Use this week to create memory dividends that will pay for years to come and know that connection with family and friends is good for your soul. And if you post online then post good memories with #memorydividends and #goodforyoursoul.
Happy Thanksgiving.
God Bless,
Fr. Brendan