Dear Parishioners and Friends,
I am very grateful to our parishioners who came to our Advent Prayer for Peace on December 7th. It was an opportunity for our parish to come together in the midst of a very busy time, to spend a few moments in prayer and song on behalf of those who are suffering because of violence and war. I am also grateful for our two guests: Denise Wolferman, representing the Jewish community; and Aida Mansoor, representing the Islamic community, who proclaimed readings from their respective faith traditions.
I am particularly grateful to Allison Holst-Grubbe, who offered a powerful reflection on being a peacemaker. Allison is our Director of Community Engagement as well as a member of our music ministry. Allison is currently a candidate for a Masters degree in Interreligious Studies at Hartford International University.
Parishioners Anita Ellis, Jerry Lemega, Carole Fay, as well as Fr. Bill Beaudin, contributed readings and prayers.
During the holiday season, let us continue to pray and work for peace in our world. I invite you to watch the video of the Advent Evening of Prayer for Peace, especially Allison’s reflection:
Aida Mansoor, Director of Field Education at Hartford International University; Denise Wolferman, Chaplain Resident with Trinity Hartford; Fr. Tim; Allison Holst-Grubbe.
I do hope you will join us this Sunday evening for our service of lessons and carols as we mark the 800th anniversary of the visit of St. Francis to Greccio where he celebrated Christmas and created what is believed to be the first nativity scene. John Nowacki, a host on New England Public Radio, will read excerpts from a letter written by Pope Francis about the Nativity scene and how the various figures play a role in the story of the birth of Christ. The children of our parish will present the various statues of our nativity scene. Gabriel Löfvall will direct our choirs, including the Church Street Singers Children’s Choir, and other instrumentalists in a program of music I’m sure you will love.
In just a week, we will celebrate Christmas! On Christmas Eve, at the Mass at Night beginning at 10:30 PM, our choirs and instrumentalists will bring Salzburg to Hartford in a performance of Mozart’s Spatzen-Messe or “Sparrow Mass” and an Austrian rendition of Stille Nacht – Silent Night.
As we approach the final week of a very short Advent season, I hope you will be able to find some quiet time to reflect on the ways you have experienced God’s love during the past year, or how you might have experienced doubt or fear and found strength through your faith. Let us always remember that Emmanuel – God with us – is always with us, no matter how lonely or abandoned we might feel at times. Let us rejoice in the hope he offers us, and may peace prevail in our hearts, our homes, and in our world.
Blessings on your week ahead!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.Pastor