The Clash of the Titans

Growing up, Christmas decorations were put up the day after Thanksgiving, religiously.  Mom would decorate the tree and take care of the inside decorations and Dad and I would decorate outside.  Interestingly, even as we put up the decorations so soon, we also held back a bit, not lighting the outside decorations for a couple of weeks, until closer to Christmas.  

Dad Did It Up Big
Likely, the exercise of discipline and restraint was motivated in part by cost.  After all, there was an energy crisis back in the 1970’s and Dad did the outside lights up big:  thousands of the big G9 lights along with a full-sized and lighted crib scene, choir boys, Santa and reindeer.  He had everything connected to the front porch light and carport light and when we threw the switches for the porch and carport the interior lights in the house dimmed!   What has been my practice of Christmas decorating since ordination?

Since I learned in seminary how the first three weeks of Advent are primarily a preparing for the second coming of Jesus, not preparing to celebrate Jesus’ first coming, and seeing the benefit of delayed gratification, I have held back all decorating and lighting outside lights until close to the Third Sunday of Advent.  This works well since most times I’m too busy to do it sooner!  

Conflict at Home
On the other hand, Mom has continued to decorate the Friday after Thanksgiving, taking Christmas decorations down on December 26^th, since she has had them up for a month!  This is exactly what I have encouraged parishioners at all my assignments not to do!!   Advent waiting and preparation are so awesome and many bypass it without a thought. The hymns of Advent are beautiful and meaningful beyond measure.  Therefore, there is a battle of wills brewing at the rectory and I’m sensing it is going to knockdown, drag-out battle!  Why such a clash?

For those who know me, they would likely acknowledge that I am stubborn and strong-willed.  Well, I didn’t come by such personality traits on my own.  My mother is particularly so, even as her memory might be failing a bit.  

Exercising Restraint
Therefore, this year there is likely going to be a clash of the titans in the rectory.  I won’t light the lights that I put around several of the spruce trees until the Third Sunday of Advent.  However, avert your eyes if you happen to see a Santa Claus sitting on the porch or decorations up early inside.  Thanks to those who exercise restraint regarding Christmas and allow the Advent Season to prepare the way for Jesus!

Retirement Fund for Religious
Thanks to parishioners who read next week’s bulletin material about…and prayerfully consider a gift to…the Retirement Fund for Religious.  So many of us can list several vowed religious that have been impactful and inspiring in our lives, being Jesus for us.  For me, Sister Sharon tanned my hide in third grade, turning me from a life of rule-breaking.  Sister Francis Theresa patiently taught me how to play the saxophone.  Sister Loretta affirmed the potential call to priesthood as a sophomore at Badin High in Hamilton.  May we pray for them as their powerful prayers help us!!

Some St. Saviour Notes
 There are several items of note regarding St. Saviour.  One for me is that I regret not being at St. Saviour’s 4:00 Mass the last two times in my rotation, which makes it more than a month and a half since I’ve presided at that Mass.  Recent weddings at Holy Trinity caused me to swap Masses with Fr. Jerry twice.

Thanks to Pastoral Council for their attentiveness and work to improve St. Saviour’s campus.  Parishioners and visitors check out the newly renovated Holy Family statue at the north entrance of Church, a most recent practical accomplishment toward constant improvement!

 In that same vein, pastoral council and finance committee members are wondering about replacing the floor in the basement and perhaps updating the audio/visual to improve the experience of family of parish gatherings.  If you or someone you know might be able to help as an architect, office/meeting space designer or audio/visual expert, please offer names and numbers.

St. John Thanks Deer Park Roofing
 Thanks to Deer Park Roofing for their wonderful generosity to St. John, their neighbor.  Please see words of thanks below from Bill Davis, St. John Finance Chair.
 
Sincerely and with Love in Christ,
Fr. Pat
 
Dear Crescent Parishioners,
 
On behalf of St. John and Crescent Parishes, I would like to thank Nick Sabino and the Deer Park roofing team, who spent 8 hours on Monday 10/21, repairing several areas on the St. John Church roof at no cost to the parish.   We couldn’t be more pleased with the professional attitude and top-quality repairs.  St. John Finance Committee and Pastoral Council want to personally thank Deer Park Roofing for their no-cost repairs.  An example of exceptional stewardship!

If anybody in the Cresent Family needs a new roof or repairs, residential or commercial, please consider calling Deer Park Roofing at 513-891-9151.  They are also a generous bulletin advertiser!!
 
Sincerely,
 
Bill Davis
St. John Finance Committee Chair