OUR LADY OF mT. cARMEL cHURCH
Sunday Mass - 9:30 AM
Rev. Matthew H. Frisoni
Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Albany and Pastor |
Sunday Mass - 9:30 AM
Rev. Matthew H. Frisoni
Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Albany and Pastor |
Join us online every weekend for Mass with
Father Frisoni. Mass is filmed from each of our three churches on a rotating schedule and posted at 6:00 PM on Sundays on our YouTube Channel. |
Our Pastor's Message THE 2024-2025 DIOCESAN APPEAL
Dear family, Our Diocesan Appeal is a year-long campaign to support the works of the Church. I am still grateful before God for our sacrifices in the prior appeal. That Appeal ended on June 30, 2024, but we kept the results in the bulletins throughout the summer to rejoice. The next Appeal is underway, and some of us have already contributed—thank you! One advantage of a pledge now is that we can spread out our contributions from now until June 30, 2025. So, you will now notice our new figures in this bulletin. You can follow our progress for the next nine months. Remember, online giving is possible for the Appeal — visit thediocesanappeal.org. Once again, thank you for your kind sacrifices to support each parish's share of the campaign. COMING SOON: THE ADVENT SEASON AND THE CHRISTMAS SEASON Dear family, The Advent Season begins on Sunday, December 1, 2024, the First Sunday of Advent. We celebrate the Vigil for this on Saturday, November 30 beginning at 4:00PM. Advent is the season of patient and hopeful expectation to celebrate the coming of the Lord. It is a penitential period--you will notice several penance services. Except for solemnities, the "Gloria" is not recited during the Advent Season. Then, we mark the Nativity of our Lord on Wednesday, December 25, 2024. We celebrate the Vigil for this on Tuesday, December 24 at 4:00PM. During the Advent Season, we refrain from Christmas events as much as possible. We wish to respect the wisdom and teaching of the Church. Advent and Christmas are two distinct seasons. Our parishes reflect on the mystery of God's incarnation. In our society, there is great energy about Christmas throughout most of December. Then, the singing and Christmas celebration ends around December 26 or so. (Isn't it strange that this ending coincides with the end of the "Christmas" buying season?) The Church is a witness to Christ throughout the Christmas Season. This season runs into the early part of January. We celebrate Christmas functions during the Christmas Season. This is our general rule, but there are some exceptions to this. Many in our parishes travel during the Christmas Season. This is why our parishes host "Christmas" functions during the last ten days or so of the Advent Season. The seasonal distinctions are an invitation from the Church. I am praying for you now, in October, that our Advent Season will be a season of patient expectation for Jesus. God's peace, Fr. Frisoni |