 Fr.
Tom's Tomes December 11, 2005
We already are celebrating the Third Sunday of Advent. In 14 short days we will be celebrating the Feast of Christmas. This Sunday we stop to take a breath and examine where we have been this Advent season and where we need to go. We need to follow the example of Christ birth not to be concerned about the amount we give at Christmas but to be concerned about how much love we are sharing this season. Our culture encourages us to spend a lot of money on gifts. Our culture however does not really point out the many people within our town, state, and country not to forget other countries who have very little or nothing. In our preparation for Christmas I would encourage all parishioners to remember those who have little or nothing. There are people here in Chillicothe who do not have money for heat and utilities. There are many people who do not have money for food. In preparing for Christmas if you find you would like to share your blessings with those who are in need you may choose to make a special contribution to St. Columban Parish for those in need. Where I came from the parish did help many people with emergency assistance. We helped those of our parish and those of the town. It did not matter who they were because we looked to see the Christ in the other person and assisted to the best of our ability. In order to do that we did count on the generosity of the people of the parish. I want to thank the Knights of Columbus for their work in the rectory. This past Monday evening they installed the ramp across the steps in the hallway leading to the Sacristy as well as to begin the wall partitioning off the first floor from the second floor. On Tuesday evening they installed sheet rock on the wall and put insulation in the wall. By Wednesday morning there was a big difference in the temperature on the first floor. The Knights have continued to work on this project of working in the rectory. I want to thank all of the Knights who are helping as this will assist the parish in keeping the heating bills for the rectory down. All of the labor is being donated by the Knights. All of the material costs is also being donated by the Knights. If you would like to help with the costs of the material the Knights would appreciate any help you may choose to give them. I do greatly appreciate all of the efforts of the Knights and their concern not only for me but for all religious as well as there concern to help the parish. It is my hope to have the CCD classes begin in January. In trying to get everything started it is taking a while to know all of the volunteers in the parish. In talking with a couple of the CCD teachers it came to my attention that going to Wednesday night seemed to be a better time. It is my hope the first Wednesday night of January we will begin the CCD program. If your child or children will be attending we do need to know. We have the books for the CCD program already and my hope is to begin the classes on January 4, 2006. With the classes being moved to Wednesday nights, I will be able to be more involved with the CCD program. Thank you and may you be blessed this third week of Advent. |