As we begin the third week of Advent with love for our Lord Jesus Christ, please join us in prayer to request the intercession of St. Lucy as we celebrate her feast day today …

Saint Lucy,

whose beautiful name signifies light,

by the light of faith which

God bestowed upon you

increase and preserve His

light in my soul

so that I may avoid evil and

be zealous in the performance

of good works,

and detest nothing so much as

the blindness and the darkness

of evil and sin.

Obtain for me, by your

intercession with God

perfect vision for my bodily eyes

and the grace to use them for God’s

greater honor and glory

and the salvation of souls.

St. Lucy, virgin and martyr

hear my prayers and obtain my petitions.

Amen.

As we continue through the Advent season, preparing ourselves for the celebration of Jesus’ coming at Christmas, we are invited to avail of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. There are numerous opportunities for individual Confession, and times are listed in the parish bulletins. Through participation in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus’ coming at Christmas. Our students in Grades 3 through 8 will have the opportunity to participate in a beautiful Reconciliation Service later this week. We are grateful to all of our priests who will join together to provide our children with the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. We hope as a family, you will continue to avail yourself of this beautiful Sacrament throughout the year.

With the upcoming hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, the house to decorate and presents to wrap, it is important, as Catholics, to remember that Advent should be our focus. It is a difficult season to celebrate because of the commercialism of the secular world in which we live. At this time, we keep in mind people who are less fortunate in our community and the world. Thank you for all the donations we have received for the Food Drive and the coins collected by 2nd grade for the St. Vincent de Paul Warming Center. Our hearts are full as we look at the generosity of our HFCS community. –

Don’t forget … our Annual HFCS Christmas Program. This year we will gather together on Friday, December 16th at Pope St. Pius X for the 6 pm Concert followed by Cookies and Crafts with Santa. There is no charge for this event – donations are accepted at the Cookies and Crafts with Santa. Students in grades 5 through 8 should arrive at 5:30 pm, students in grades 4 and under should arrive no later than 5:45 pm. Children should be dressed in their Christmas best – Santa hats, scarves, etc. make great additions.

Pax et bonum,

Sue Styren, M.Ed.