Before I Forget&

• For God is more taken with earth's agony than heaven's ecstasy.  Poet, Ken Sehested
  
  And all humankind shall see the salvation of God.   Luke 3:6
  

  Do not fear, Mary. Luke 1:30
  

  Joseph, son of David, have no fear about taking Mary as your wife.   Matthew 1:20
  

     Fear!  Some 2000 years after the birth of Jesus, I am grateful that Joseph and Mary got over their fears and said yes to God.  Faith is always getting over our fears and saying yes to God& "yes," everyday,  and, at the end of our lives on earth.
     We need a Joseph in our lives to guide us to God.  Joseph didn't say anything that is recorded in the gospels.  But, he was a great dreamer.  Joseph was wondering and afraid of what was going on in Mary.  And the answers to his fears come in his dreams.  Joseph, take Mary as your wife.  The child she has conceived is the only Son of God.  Joseph, take the child and his mother and go to Egypt.  Their lives are threatened.  Joseph, go back to Nazareth with Jesus and Mary.  That's where you belong.  Joseph was a man of faith and always said yes to God.
     Even Mary was afraid and wondered what was going on when the angel Gabriel appeared to her.  The mother of God?  She says yes and she can sing that her very being proclaims the greatness of God and that her spirit finds joy in God her savior.  And, now, we can be grateful for her yes, for her mothering.  We believe that her Son is always near so that we can journey through life without fear& or, at least, too much fear!
     Have you ever noticed how fear and faith go together?  As a small child you believe Mom and Dad are extra special.  The day comes when you realize that they are just human, that they make mistakes, that they disappoint you.  You find a special friend.  You believe that this person is absolutely the best friend you could ever have.  And, maybe, they let you down.  You believe in God and you wonder what God wants and why God is so difficult at times.  Who is this God that I believe in?  What is God's will for me?
     We live our lives trusting God and other people.  I trust that my family will be there for me if something awful happens to me.  I trust my friends to love me and care for me.  I trust that you, my parishioners, will believe that I'm simply trying to do my best.  I trust that God will give me the grace to be a good pastor-priest.  You know what I'm talking about.  You trust that the love you promised your spouse will last forever.  You trust in your marriage vows.  You trust your children and that they will be moral and upright and do the right thing.  You trust your doctor and investments advisor.  You trust your church and your priests and bishop.  Trust! You trust that your pension will be there when you need it.  As we go through life, we are always trusting, and maybe there are fears from time to time.  We want security!
     Mary and Joseph were the same kind of people.  They wanted a secure relationship and religious life.  They trusted their God and were asked not to fear God's plan for them.  Their safety and security was in God.  What great teachers they are to us:  let God be your safety and security.
     Their child grew up.  And he said to his disciples (including us) Do not be afraid.  I will be with you always to the end of time.  We believe that Jesus Christ is always with us in the Eucharist.  May our communion give us deeper trust and help us believe that God is our safety and security... no matter what.
     How can we live without the Eucharist?

Fr. Bill

     When our church was designed, just after Vatican Council II, our altar was designed for one chalice, a paten and the Sacramentary. In the 1970's Communion was once again offered to the congregation under both forms of bread and wine. With the advent of this reform, our altar became too small to conveniently make room for many chalices and many plates. Because of this, the Art and Environment Committee began to study how to enlarge the present altar. A decision was made after a donation was given to enlarge the present altar thereby extending the mensa (table top) two feet on each side. The legs which support the present mensa will be retained, though amplified at the center of the base. We hope to have the new mensa in place the week of December 16^th . Thanks to a very generous donor couple for making this possible. The existing mensa will find a home in a space yet to be determined and memorialized as a devotional relic of art.
     Also, look for the installation of the wooden triptych on the south wall of the sanctuary during the week of the 16^th. The doors will remain closed until early January when Nicholas Markell will begin to write the Icon. The triptych and Icon are also a memorial and made possible through a gift of a very   generous parishioner.

EVENSONG THIS SUNDAY
Please join us this Sunday at 4:00 pm for Evensong, the Evening Prayer of the Church, as we draw near to  Christmas. Evensong is sponsored by the Young Married Couples and is sung by Saint John's Schola.  Festive hospitality will follow in Saint Joseph Hall. All are welcome.

GREENING OF THE CHURCH
All are welcome to help prepare our parish home for the  12 Days of Christmas, on Sunday, December 22^nd  immediately following the 6:15 pm Mass. Dinner will be provided, (steak and lobster???) Decorating will continue on Monday, December 23^rd at 9:00 am. Strong arms are needed to erect the 18 foot trees and folks of all ages can help 'deck the halls.'  Many hands make light work.