Recently, the USCCB has made December 9th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (which falls on a Monday this year) a Holy Day of Obligation. We will have Masses on that Monday at 8:30am, 4:30pm, and 7pm. Remember, we see this not simply as a day of Obligation, but of Opportunity! We have a great opportunity in contemplating the miraculous significance of the Immaculate Conception and to worship and receive God!

Friends, we are in need of ushers at all of our Masses. In order to provide coverage for this important role of welcoming, assisting with the collection, and providing help for any urgent need, I would like at least 24 parishioners to join the team. Considering the size of the church, it takes 6 ushers per Mass to provide adequate coverage. A few of our Masses only have 4 ushers who have been faithful to their ministry for some time. Having more people to call upon for this role, the better. If there is a larger pool of ushers, then there would be less of a need for any particular person to have to usher every week. Certainly, as emergencies, illnesses, or surgeries happen for people, having a bullpen (If you will) to reach out to would be helpful. A larger number would also help when there are large liturgies close to each other, like when a Holy Day falls on a Monday. I want to greatly thank Joe Pochedley, our Head Usher for all of his hard work in coordinating all of our ushers. For those who are able to assist with this ministry, please reach out to our office who can coordinate with Joe and/or please let me know if you have any thoughts or questions.

That being said, we are also in need of Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors for similar reasons. It would be great to have 15 new Eucharistic Ministers and 10 new Lectors. The more people, the merrier. Training and practices will be provided for anyone entering these ministries.

And I think that is the way we need to approach these important roles at our parish. God calls us to worship Him and receive Him, but also to serve and give of our lives. Even if it is new, unknown, or seemingly uncomfortable, God asks us to step out in our lives of faith so that the Gospel can be shared and the world be brought ever closer to the Kingdom of God. Please pray and discern your involvement in these roles in our parish so that we can not only cover the essential needs of our community, but that we can all grow in faith together.

Lastly, the “practice Mass” for Dale Shafer (A Parishioner who is in formation to be a Deacon) is this Monday at 7pm. Please join to support him in this prayerful time!