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Yesterday, two Franciscan postulants began their ministry at our parish food pantry. As postulants, Kole and George are in a year-long formation program with the Conventual Franciscans to see if they would like to join the Order. In addition to regular ministry work, they are living in community with the friars and learning the daily rhythm of the Religious Life. This is the stage of formation directly after a young man's application is accepted by the friars. Are you called to a life of service, fraternity, and prayer? Click here to learn more about the Conventual Franciscans!
 El domingo 19 de enero la comunidad guatemalteca de nuestra parroquia nos invitó a todos a celebrar la fiesta del Señor de Esquipulas en la misa de las 12:30 p.m. en la iglesia de Santa Ita. La misa incluyó una procesión con la imagen del Señor de Esquipulas y música especial de nuestro coro. Después de la misa, hubo una recepción en el Salón Jubileo con comida tradicional guatemalteca. Gracias a todos los que ayudaron a hacer posible esta celebración y estamos agradecidos con la comunidad guatemalteca por incluir a toda nuestra parroquia en esta fiesta especial. On Sunday, January 19 the Guatemalan community of our parish invited us all to celebrate the feast of Senor de Esquipulas at the 12:30 PM Mass at St. Ita church. Mass included a procession with the image of Senor de Esquipulas and special music from our choir. After Mass, there was a reception in Jubilee Hall with traditional Guatemalan food. Thank you to everyone who helped to made this celebration possible and we are grateful to the Guatemalan community for including our entire parish in this special feast. *Photos courtesy of parish volunteers Damian Chlanda and Carmela.
 At a recent meeting, the Filipinos of Saint Gregory the Great presented our Pastor Fr. Alejandro Lopez a check for the needs of the parish including the purchases of chalices for the distribution of Precious Blood that Mass. We thank them for the tireless care they give Mary, Mother of God parish and their continued generosity.
Happy New Year from the volunteers at the parish Soup Kitchen! We would like to thank the anonymous donors who sent a ladle, package of reusable grocery bags, a bag of bite-size candy, three bags of dry lentils, and a six pack of Scotch tape to St. Thomas of Canterbury. Below are photos of volunteers putting these gifts to good use. Enjoy these photos of the Nativity scenes (creches) around the parish. We hope you were able to see them sometime during the Christmas season! Sunday, January 7, the Mary, Mother of God Parish Choirs presented their annual Christmas Concert. Representatives from our parish choirs and ensembles shared the sounds of the season with the assembled audience. A heartfelt thank you to those whose assistance and encouragement made this event possible and successful. The directors and members of our parish choirs, ensembles, and musicians for their fine work and dedicated service to our parish. Our friars, pastoral staff, and maintenance staff for their encouragement, assistance, and support. Our Children's Choir parents, parishioners, and friends for being an encouraging and grateful audience. Mr. Todd Gresick, for accompanying our singers us so beautifully, and for sharing his mastery and love of the pipe organ with our parish. Christmas Season blessings and a Happy, Prosperous New Year 2025! Special Thanks to: Fr. Alejandro celebrated Mass for the Vietnamese community on the Solemnity of our parish patroness Mary, the Mother of God at St. Thomas of Canterbury church. A special thank you is owed to the Vietnamese choir for decorating the church with such care for the Christmas season. It looks beautiful! Thank you for your hard work. |
