This weekend we celebrate Epiphany. As the wise men came from the East to find the newborn Messiah, they then returned to their own countries, spreading the word: Jesus is born. Fittingly, the three priests of St. Charles are travelling this weekend to cover three parishes. We are sharing that same Good News in Fort Wayne, Monroeville and Clear Lake.
Next Sunday, Jan. 11, we will celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. That will mark the end of the Church’s Christmas season. We will have a sprinkling rite as a reminder that we have been baptized into the life of Jesus Christ.
Our parish Advent penance service was a most unusual experience. Unfortunately, we were short on priests and unfortunately, we had a power outage. We scrambled to put out candles and did our best to hear confessions by candlelight in a dark church.
You may remember that Rabbi Meir and the people of Achduth Vesholom very cordially welcomed a group from our parish in November for a service of thanksgiving. Saddened by the terrible shooting tragedy in Australia, I sent a note to the rabbi and his congregation, sharing the support of St. Charles Parish. “I offer to you and all of your congregation the prayer and the support of the people of St. Charles. We are horrified by the reports from Australia of yet another act of mass violence against Jewish people gathered in prayer. We pray for the day that all people will learn to live in peace and to respect the beauty of the faith lives of others. We join you in grief and in prayer.”
[Note: because of printing and mailing deadlines for bulletins during this busy season I am writing this column three weeks before Jan. 4. News might not be too current.]
