On top of everyone’s mind around here is Christmas. For me, it is pretty much all year, but some people actually like to wait until December. The term “the most wonderful time of the year” comes to mind. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest and most crowded times of the year. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses at our parish and most all Christian Communities are wonderful times to come together. The multi-generational families jamming into a pew, the return home of college students and military members, as well as long-time members, make for a truly blessed event.
Here at Sacred Heart, we have a tradition of praying all through the Advent and Christmas Seasons for our loved ones to “Come Home for Christmas” and hopefully stay with us. The sign in front of property on Mountain Road serves as a reminder that everyone is invited to come for a visit and stay if possible. We place the first name or initials of the person or people we would like to have come home on silver and gold stars that are then placed on the Christmas trees that decorate the church. This year, each person will be given a prayer card focused on the return of their loved ones. This may sound a bit corny, but it actually works and pays off in many blessings for all of us.
Throughout Advent we have opportunities for prayer and social events. On Sunday, Dec. 7 beginning at 5:15 p.m., we will have a Christmas sing- along, beginning in the church with a selection of sacred and secular Christmas songs for all ages. Then we head outside for the Blessing of our outdoor Nativity Scene, and the lighting of our Christmas tree. Once the tree is lit, we head into Fr. Ted Hall for cookies and hot chocolate, and, if everyone has been good this year, a visit from Santa to round out the evening. This free event is open to all.
Taking note of the Polish history of Suffield, we will once again host a Polish Christmas concert on Wednesday, Dec. 17 in the church beginning at 10:15 a.m. with music and historical notes by James “Jimmy” Turek and friends. The traditional Polish Christmas Oplatek will be available as well.
In the spirit of the season, our Human Needs Committee will be collecting food items, as well as Christmas gifts for our friends and neighbors in need, in cooperation with Suffield Community Aid and other local relief agencies.
Masses for Christmas Eve will be at 4 p.m. with a children’s nativity just before the Mass. The Mass at Night is at 10:30 p.m. with music from our choir beginning at 10 p.m. On Christmas Day there will be Mass at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. For New Year’s there will be a Vigil Mass at 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
We hope you can join us for some of these events. To see all the happenings at Sacred Heart, please follow us on Facebook or visit our website at http://www.sacredheartct.com. Have a blessed Advent and a very Merry Christmas from Fr. Joe Keough and the entire Sacred Heart Parish Family.