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Dear Friends in Christ,
The church’s Christmas celebration continues this weekend with the beautiful feast of the Most Holy Family: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. This feast reminds us that our families of origin and our families of choice are essential to experiencing Christ’s peace, healing, and love in our lives.
The family of the church family is like no other. It comprises a strange but wonderful mix of characters: the rich and the poor, the happy and sad, the healthy and sick, the sophisticated and the simple, the saint and the sinner. It also includes the presence of those who have gone before us, who live in our memories but also touch us from their place in the communion of the saints.
We name our churches after the holy men and women whose lives and continued intercession inspire our Christian journeys. Most often, they are the officially canonized saints in our Catholic Tradition. Sometimes, we honor others who are not but whose lives and presence in our history are worthy of honor. St. Catherine Parish named their new hall and gym space “Victoria Hall” in honor of Victoria Ries, who served as the Parish Coordinator a few years back. Assumption Parish has a space known as “St. Benedict Hall” in honor of St. Martin’s Abbey monks who served the parish for many years.
This Sunday, St. Bridget Parish celebrates the dedication of what, from now on, will be known as “McEvoy Hall.” This place of fellowship, community building, and ASB drama productions was renovated in recent years through the generosity of Catherine and Patricia McEvoy. These two blood sisters were part of the initial community that founded St. Bridget’s in 1972. Both women had successful careers in the business world and left the parish a sizeable bequest in their estates after they died. Members of their families are with us this weekend for this special dedication. We thank God for the generosity of these women and count them as beloved members of our Christian Family.
Christmas blessings of peace and joy!
Fr. William Heric, Pastor
