Our Commemorative Book is available for sale at the reception desk in the Parish House for $20 or you can purchase a copy online HERE for $25.00 (which includes shipping).

Get your copy of this limited-edition keepsake now!

To understand how racism works today, we must recognize that generations of African Americans were disadvantaged by slavery, wage theft, “Jim Crow” laws, and by the systematic denial of access to numerous wealth-building opportunities for others. This has left many African Americans without hope, discouraged, disheartened, and feeling unloved. While it is true that some individuals and families have thrived, significant numbers of African Americans were born into economic and social disparity. The poverty experienced by many of these communities has its root in racist policies that continue to impede the ability of people to find affordable housing, meaningful work, adequate education, and social mobility. The generational effects of slavery, segregation, and the systematic use of violence— including the lynching of more than 4,000 black men, women and children across 800 different counties throughout the United States between 1877 and 1950—are realities that must be fully recognized and addressed in any process that hopes to combat racism.

(to be continued)

This is the Second Sunday of Advent and we hear John the Baptist proclaim the message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John’s message was meant to “prepare the way of the Lord.” John had to deal with many obstacles that stood in the way of people accepting that the “kingdom of heaven was at hand.” Yet many went to be baptized by him. The “closeness” of the kingdom is a message for us and it is meant to help us remove any obstacles that prevent us from allowing it to enter into our lives. Advent is a time to realize the closeness of God to us. What prevents us from realizing this?

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is not celebrated on Sunday, December 8, this year, but has been transferred to Monday, December 9. However, it is not a holy day of obligation. It is a special day, and attending Mass is the best way to observe it.

Have you seen the Christmas ornaments and nativity sets in the lobby of the Parish House? Many are from Peru, India and Kenya and are products of Fair Trade Communities. The craftsmanship is amazing on the ornaments and small nativities. Pleas stop by.