Preparing for Holy Season

Dear St. Patrick Families,

We greet you with the peace of Christ the King!  The last several months have been very stressful and challenging.  We write to commend you on your love, care, and commitment to your family.

Without a doubt, Covid is shaping, informing, and influencing our family lives.  The stress of work, bills remaining constant, school activities, raising kids – are all combined as life goes on.

The Holy/Holiday season is upon us and we want to accompany you to think ahead and prepare.  Like the Blessed Mother and all of the Jewish people of her day, we look forward with great EXPECTATIONS.  Take some time to prayerfully reflect, and look at what you would normally do as a family during this time of Thanksgiving, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.  

Looking through the lens of Covid, how do all these celebrations stack up?  What are our EXPECTATIONS this year?  Explore with your children the answers to these questions:  What are the limitations that are not in our control?  What are our options?  What are the limits with money on hand?  How can we make family the greatest holiday gift?  What are we grateful for this year?

During Bishop Kihneman’s recent visit to St. Patrick, he called us to become powerful intercessors.  Let us fulfill his request by praying for all of those in need, especially:

• Families suffering through fires and hurricanes.
• Families going through tough financial times.
• Elderly people who feel forgotten or alone.
• People suffering and dying from Covid.  Many times alone as no one can visit them.
• Immigrant families at the border living in tents as they seek freedom.
• Countries where drought has destroyed crops that are used for food and trade.
• War-torn parts of the world.

As we pray for others we deepen our awareness of having everything we need and not necessarily everything that we want.  We are a global community of compassion, hope and love.
Family prayer time is very important!  We will be sending home a booklet entitled Prince of Peace: Family Devotions and Activities for Advent.  Each week has a specific theme: Week 1 ‘Give Hope;” Week 2, “Share Peace;” Week 3, “Bring Peace;” and Week 4, “Live Love.”  Each day has a “think, pray, and act” section.  Our hope is that the booklet will help your family enter more deeply into the true meaning of the Advent and Christmas Seasons.

We are the St. Patrick family!  We are all learning to cope with our new reality.  Some things are in our control, and some are not.  We are here to love and support one another.  If you need anything, please let us know.

Yours in Christ,

Terry Creel
Theology Department Chair