Letter from the Director

Letter from the Director 

January 13, 2025

Dear Friends of Mary Help,

Fr. John:                      “Now you can take your Christmas tree down.”

Random person:          “What do you mean? I took my tree down on New Year’s Day!”

Fr. John:                       “Too bad because it’s still Christmas. Did you know that?”

Random person:          “You’re crazy, Fr. John. Stores are already in the thick of Valentine’s Day.”

Fr. John:                       “The Church celebrates Christmas until today, the feast of the Baptism of

the Lord. Why spend so much time preparing for Christmas if you can’t

spend time celebrating the birth of Jesus for a long stretch after Christmas?”

Random person:          “Well, maybe you have a point, Father.”

Fr. John                        “ So, Merry Christmas, at least for one more day!”

 

Today, the Church enters Ordinary Time – so called not because there is “nothing special” that is happening, but because Ordinary comes from the Latin word “ordinal” meaning “number.” We are in the first week of Ordinary Time, next week is Second Week, etc. until we come to Ash Wednesday, which is March 5.

 

The work of the Church continues – day by day – through this season. Masses are celebrated, Confessions heard, young people educated, retreat programs operated, nature education highlighted, and a host of other activities – to help those who spend time at Mary Help to grow in holiness in Don Bosco’s manner.

 

Don’t worry – there are special events too!

  • Tuesday January 21, 8:00 PM through Wednesday January 22, 9:00 PM – 24 hours of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in MHC Church. We are invited to pray for the protection of human life. This Adoration period will end with Mass on Wednesday at 8:00 PM. All are invited.
  • Friday January 24 – the Salesian community celebrates the feast of St Francis de Sales, whom Don Bosco chose to be the patron saint of the first Oratory and of the Salesian Society (the Society of St. Francis de Sales. Hey! That’s us!)
  • Friday January 31 – the Solemnity of St. John Bosco. For Cristo Rey students, that is the culmination of Spirit Week.
  • Sunday February 3 – Don Bosco Festival, sponsored by MHC Parish. Mass at 10:00, international lunch, games for kids, flea market (Saturday as well), and entertainment.

 

There is nothing “ordinary” about Ordinary Time. Come and celebrate with us.

 

Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us!

 

Fr. John J. Serio SDB

Director