As we enter ordinary time, I want to pause for a moment and offer my immense gratitude to everyone who made our Christmas liturgies prayerful, joyful, and beautiful. A huge thank you to our musicians, choir, and cantors who lifted our hearts with the beautiful sounds of prayerful music. Thanks to our ushers, our greeters, our sacristans, extraordinary ministers of communion, lectors and altar servers, celebrants and deacons and those who worked on art and environment. Our liturgies and our parish presence were strengthened by your commitment which made such a difference. Thank you all!

Lent is around the corner; Wednesday, February 18, is Ash Wednesday. I am bringing up Lent now because I want to share news with you about a decision recently made about this year’s Easter Vigil. We have 14 people preparing to be fully welcomed into the Church at the Vigil. Our community shares one preparation program and the group, which has formed a close connection to each other, has asked that they stay together for one Vigil service. After conversations with our Music, Liturgy, and OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) we have agreed to honor this request. This first joint Vigil will take place at Saint Catherine of Siena-Saint Lucy and Saint Giles Parish, at the Saint Giles Church site.

This decision also highlights how we have worked together in a collaborative effort in specific areas of parish ministry such as youth ministry, adult formation, Alpha and OCIA formation for those entering the church. This single Vigil becomes a visible sign of that work and unity reminding us we are all more than separate worship sites - we are one family of faith walking together toward life in Christ.

To ensure that all may accompany our catechumens and candidates, the Scrutinies will be celebrated at the different parish sites during the weeks leading to Easter. This allows the larger community to pray for them, meet them and support them in their final steps toward the sacraments. More information will follow as we continue to plan for Lent, Holy Week and the Easter Vigil.

Finally, please support our Spirit and Light fundraiser on February 1. Check the bulletin, website or E-News for details. It will be an elegant evening with beautiful music. Come and support the innovation and multi-level work that Spirit and Light offers to our community.

Have a safe and blessed week ahead.

With you a Christian. For you, a priest.

Fr. Carl Morello 
Pastor
Ascension and St. Edmund Parish
St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish