Items for this week of November 28, 2021
Dear Folks:
**Advent Spiritual Opportunities: Please see the bulletin for all information about Advent spiritual opportunities available at the parish. This Advent Season is a time for reflection. If we are going to welcome Christ into our homes, hearts, and parishes at Christmas celebrating His birthday, and as we always make sure our homes are prepared for guests, shouldn’t we prepare our hearts to welcome Christ home for Christmas? Advent helps us do just that! Please see the bulletin page about all that is offered this Advent Season. I want to make special note at this point about the noon Mass beginning Monday, November 29th with the Sacrament of Reconciliation offered each day from 11:15 a.m.—11:45 a.m. Confessions and noon Mass will be Monday thru Friday during the Advent Season; knowing that some may be coming from a work lunch hour, snacks will be provided or I’m pretty sure many restaurants have hours where people can order food and pick it up on the way back to work. The Mass will on average be about 17 minutes long. It will be reverent but efficient!
**Deck Bushes: You may have seen on the rectory deck new bushes placed in large containers. I want all to know that this was donated to the parish. Parish funds were not used for this. I want to thank the person who donated all of this. It adds life to the deck and—if I get enough time—the bushes can be lit for Christmas! Thank you so much! That live greenery adds warmth to an already beautiful space!
**Saint Ambrose Forever Auction: I just want all to know the finances for the, “Saint Ambrose Forever,” auction:
a) Gross Amount: $215,000.
b) Fund a Need: $43,300. This amount is included in the gross amount.
c) Classroom Artwork: $1450. This money will go directly to the classrooms.
To those who organized this, donated to this, participated in this, and supported this event in any way, thank you! My goodness, the good done to support the school is just magnificent. I’m not surprised by everyone’s generosity anymore—people are just so good—but I am humbled by so many doing so much to help so many!
**Golf Cart Parade: On Sunday, December 5th, all are invited to gather at Berra Park with your decorated cart for the, “2nd Annual Golf Cart Parade,” gathering between 5:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The parade will wind through the, “Hill,” and elves will collect new, unwrapped toys for the, “Toys for Tots,” organization. Keep your eyes out for Mr. And Mrs. Claus as well. This is a wonderful way to celebrate this beautiful time of year and help out those in need. Thanks in advance for your generosity. I was going to be a part of this but I already have a dinner I am going to that night. Please see the bulletin for more details and thanks to all who organized this. It’s just wonderful.
**Breakfast with Santa: On Sunday, December 5th, the, “Breakfast with Santa,” will be held on the complex. The 8th grade students will be selling tickets after Sunday Masses. This is their big fundraiser to help pay for their mystery day and graduation celebration. This is a time honored tradition here at St. Ambrose. The 8th grade students and their parents have been waiting for their turn and they really appreciate your support. I hope to see you all there. Just a reminder that the soccer lot will be open for more parking available to those attending Sunday Mass and those who will be supporting the, “Breakfast with Santa,” event.
**And, finally…There are wonderful, beautiful, and dignified activities in this community all the time. The, “Piazza Imo,” just had a wonderful chess tournament last weekend which was really enjoyable (and the weather was perfect). This weekend is the beautiful concert and lighting of the Christmas Tree in the piazza. It is such a privilege to be here! Advent is even a busier time as we all prepare for Christmas. I just ask all—and I’m reminding myself as well—to please make time for quiet prayer. This Church is available 24/7 for people to come in and enjoy peace and quiet and talk to God. That’s important to do! Sometimes I’m too busy for God; that’s a recipe for disaster for me. Let us all have time for quiet with God.
Let us pray for a fruitful Advent!
Fr. Jack