My Dear Parish Family:

With Christmas Day just about a little more than a week away you may be thinking – I still have so much to do! Including getting to Confession! No problem!   Reconciliation Monday is this Monday, December 17th from 4 PM until 8 PM in our parish Church, as well as Churches throughout the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn.   Please try to
remember to get to the beautiful Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance or Confession) to help yourself get ready spiritually for Christmas Day.

Undoubtedly, for most of us our Christmas tree has been up for some time now, but perhaps on Christmas Eve or sometime this week you may wish to gather your family around the Tree and have a Christmas tree blessing. Anyone or everyone can recite this blessing for a happy and blessed Christmas.

Begin by making the Sign of the Cross and pray:

Almighty God, thank you for the joy
of this Holy Season;
Thank you for the joy of Christmas;
Bless this Tree and all the decorations
in our home;
Bless our family, those here and those not with us; May, Jesus, who is the Light of the World fill our hearts and all whom we love with His peace. Amen!

Until next week, happy Advent. St. Benedict, pray for us. Servant of God, Cardinal Cooke, pray for us.

Fr. Stephen P. Norton