St Mary Anne's Church

Rooted in the past, reaching for the future

2020 Parishioner Advent Reflection Day 12

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Like so many in the St Mary Anne’s community, this Christmas season will be a little different for our family. In February we lost a pillar of strength in my family, March brought us a global pandemic and unrest in our nation, but in June we welcomed our beautiful baby girl into this world. With all of these strange circumstances and invitations to lose sight of our blessings, we need to take time to focus and reflect on the gifts that God has given us.
This Advent season we will be focusing on our own little miracle and seeing the wonderment of Christmas through the eyes of a child. She has brought so much joy and light to our family and we thank God every day for her. Nearing the end of such a tumultuous year, we should all count our blessings, focus on the gifts God has given us, laugh a little louder, and hug our loved ones a little longer.
Alexis Cannestro Bazzoli

2020 Parishioner Advent Reflection Day 11

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A Christmas tradition that always kicks off the Swoboda Advent season is the transformation of our mantle with our nativity display. Our first Christmas after we were married, I asked for the start of a nativity set that we could add on to in consecutive years. That first year Pat gave me the Crèche and Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. Pat and my parents continued to gift me pieces of the nativity and now that complete scene is set up the weekend after Thanksgiving.  Each piece is carefully unwrapped, its significance named, and placed on the mantel.
As I sit on my couch every evening, it is a constant reminder that this should be our focus and reason for anticipation during the Advent season. It constantly reminds me to slow down and to remember the greatest gift of all.
Jennifer Swoboda

2020 Parishioner Advent Reflection Day 10

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I love Christmas music, all kinds of Christmas music. I always have and I always will. I am one of those people who play Christmas songs the whole year through. There is just something about them that never gets old. They always lift my spirits!
I remember growing up listening to the TIME/LIFE three-album set of Christmas favorites. Some of these were traditional carols sung by popular artists in new and different ways. A few were tunes that I had never heard of. I would like to share one that speaks so beautifully of the Incarnation. You can find many versions of this song on You Tube. My favorite is sung by Harry Belafonte. Here are the lyrics.
MARY’S BOY CHILD
Long time ago in Bethlehem
So the Holy Bible say
Mary’s boy child, Jesus Christ
Was born on Christmas Day
CHORUS:
Hark, now hear the angels sing
A new King born today
And man will live forever more
Because of Christmas Day
While shepherds watched their flock by night
And see a bright new shining star
And hear a choir sing
The music seem to come from afar
Now Joseph and his wife Mary
Come to Bethlehem that night
And find no place to borne she child
Not a single room was in sight
CHORUS
By and by they find a little nook
In a stable all forlorn
And in a manger cold and dark
Mary’s little boy was born
CHORUS
The last two lines of the chorus are what grab me when I hear this song: “And man will live forever more because of Christmas Day”. The only way we can “live forever more” is to have God come live with us, to have God move into our neighborhood. I do not know how God does this. The incarnation is a mystery to me. My job is to live it every day. To live as if God is with me…because of Christmas Day.
John Stemen

2020 Parishioner Advent Reflection Day 9

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Adventures Through Advent

 

The sight of an Advent wreath fills me with memories of my children making their wreaths on the first Sunday of Advent. They were so proud as their creations were placed on the table and lit each Sunday evening.

As we moved through the weeks of Advent, we prepared for the coming of the Christ child in many ways, lighting the candles, Advent calendars with their daily surprises and of course, buying gifts for friends and family.

As we approached Christmas Eve, there was always that feeling of awe and anticipation. The children’s Christmas Eve service was always filled with youngsters clutching their figures to be placed at the Crèche as the Christmas Story was told. Thank you, Mrs. Doris Anderson for the many sheep.

This season and especially Christmas Eve, holds many emotions for me. I am grateful to my St. Mary Anne’s family for their support and love to me and my family. Christmas Blessings to all.

Kathy Mullen

 

2020 Parishioner Advent Reflection Day 8

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I am ashamed to say that it took me many years to fully acknowledge and appreciate the season of Advent. But now, with a less hectic life style and more time to actually ‘live in the moment’, I have come to realize over the last few years that Advent is my favorite season in the liturgical year. I have realized that it is not just the four weeks we have to get ready for Christmas, but a time to relax and reflect on the year that has almost passed and to begin to anticipate what the new year ahead might bring. With Autumn waning and Winter approaching it is the perfect time for this.
In light of Advent promoting in us, anticipation for Christmas, for the last few years I have even used the weeks in Advent to determine the decorating of my house for Christmas. For example, four candles go into the bow window on the first Sunday, filling all the other windows with candles by the second Sunday, and so on until the tree goes up on the final Sunday.
So all this, as well as four Sundays filled with beautiful liturgy, Bible readings and special Advent music, which are, of course, the most important things that make Advent so special. It is, after all a time of hope, anticipation, joy and love! How can it not be my favorite!
                                                                                                                                                  Lee Mackie

Service Times

Sunday 8:00AM: Rite II Service with Holy Eucharist

Sunday 10:00AM: Rite II Service with Holy Eucharist

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