Dear Friends:
The New Year 2012 is now well underway. Let us give thanks to God for all his blessings granted to us during the past year, and pray for his blessing and guidance in the rest of the year that now lies before us.
On a personal note, I want to say how grateful I am for the many kind greetings, cards, good wishes, and gifts received during the Christmas Season. I extend thanks also on behalf of members of my family for gifts and greetings received at the Rectory at Christmas.
On Sunday, March 4, the Annual Meeting of our parish will take place. The meeting will start at approximately 1:00 p.m., following a luncheon served by the Inglis Group at 12 noon. Come to the meeting to hear reports of the past year, and to share in decision making for the on-going life of our parish and its activities.
This is the time of the Church Year when we are between Christmas and Lent. From Feb. 5 until until Feb. 21 the church will be observing the season of pre-Lent, including the three Sundays with the names Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima. This year, the first day of Lent (Ash Wednesday) will be Feb. 22. Easter Day will be on Sunday, April 8.
It is my hope that all parishioners will devote themselves to a sincere and devout observance of the Lenten Season. Let us use it as a time to deepen and strengthen our faith; a time to draw nearer to God in faith and repentance; a time to practise special acts of devotion, worship, and prayer; a time to practise abstinence, fasting and self-denial.
I urge all parishioners to be more faithful in Sunday worship, and to attend the week-day services more frequently in Lent, if you are able to do so.
******* May God bless and guide us as we move forward through the days of 2012, seeking to serve him faithfully.
Father Peter Harris,
Parish Priest & Rector.
