Parish Transformation Update (12/4/2020):
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Bambinelli Sunday is next weekend, the 3rd Sunday of Advent (“Gaudete” Sunday)
This year we are observing Bambinelli Sunday a little differently.
In previous years we had asked families to bring the infant (the “bambino) of their home Christmas creche to Mass for a blessing. This year, we will be asking you to take the blessing home with you to celebrate as a family.
Instead of bringing the Baby Jesus with you to Mass, we are asking you to take home a baby bottle for the annual Baby Bottle Campaign for Morning Star Pregnancy Services. We have a wonderful history here at Saint Joseph’s with helping infants in the womb whose mothers seek God’s choice for the life growing within them by seeking the services of Morning Star.
Morning Star, which just moved into their new, expanded facility on Front Street in Harrisburg, takes care of so many such “bambinelli “ whose lives would otherwise be in danger if their mothers did not seek out the love, support and assistance that this very important organization offers. We are so grateful, and we truly rejoice (“Gaudete”), to be able to participate once again in this fundraising effort of such a vital ministry for our times. Thank you for your financial support through the Baby Bottle Campaign!
You will also see the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the front of our church during the rest of the season of Advent. Our Lady’s feast is this coming Saturday. We will have a specially scheduled Mass in her honor on Saturday, December 12 at 8 AM.
As we continue with our preparations for Christmas, here are some quotes for reflection:“The only real blind person at Christmas-time is he who has not Christmas in his heart.” Helen Keller
“We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill
“Mankind is a great, an immense family... This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas.” Pope John XXIII
“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” Bob Hope
