THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
This Christmas you out did yourself. We had a mountain of cookies (and I mean a mountain), 4 Panettone, some great homemade wine, too many cards to count, some very gracious and generous gifts, Kcups for our new coffee machine and a number of gift cards for restaurants. To top it all off, we received lots and lots of kind words and best wishes. On behalf of all the friars, I (we) want to thank you my (our) heart for remembering us at Christmas. You all are wonderful!
 
THE CALENDAR
In the next week or so, we will be working on booking the calendar for August 2012 - August 2013. If you have event or meeting dates you would like to reserve, it is best to put it in writing if you can.  Email it to us at ourchurch@stpaulkensington.org, or drop it off at the Parish Center. Last year we planned ahead, and as a result, we only had one scheduling conflict.
While we are on the topic of Calendars... there is still a box or two of our Church Calendars by the doors of the Church. Please take as many as you want for whoever you want and don’t forget to pick up the Christmas Memorial Booklets.
 
OUR YOUNG ADULTS
As I type this, we have a very good number of reservations for our young adult / college dinner. By the time you read this, the dinner will be over. I am sure you will agree that our young adults are one of the most under served populations in the parish. I am happy that we are at least able to have them here for a good meal, some fellowship and maybe even a little prayer. Several of our college students have come up to me and thanked the parish for the “college care packages”. Our efforts really touched their hearts. I’d like to extend a special thank you to our Ladies’ Guild for their help with this dinner and the dinner we had for our High School graduates last summer.
 
THE COLLECTIONS
Because of the holiday schedule, we have been unable to give you timely information in our weekly bulletin about our collections. As you can see in this week’s bulletin, there is a complete listing of the collections taken on Christmas and January 1st.  Diane tells me that the Christmas collections were $1000 over last year’s. Thank you so much! The ladies who count the collection told me that on the first of January there were three envelopes, Monthly, Sunday, and Mary Mother of God.... Whew... how did that happen ?  I am sorry for the overload and we’ll do our best to avoid any more three envelop Sundays.
 
YOUR FAMILY IS YOUR FAMILY IS YOUR FAMILY
I spent two days with my Mom, my Brother and his family after Christmas. I have to tell you, they crack me up. They are so filled with life and excitement. That place was like Grand Central Station. They are forever moving cars to get out of the driveway. When I arrived, we were able to have Mass at the Dining Room table, as is our custom. When my nieces and nephews were little, I used to take them for what I called “mystery rides.” In other words, I would drive them around for a day and try and keep them occupied. We did that for years, sledding, shopping, hiking and whatever. My brother and sister-in-law were always very grateful.  This year, my nephew Andrew, who is 19, took mefor a Mystery Ride to see some animated Christmas lights.  They grow up so fast.
 
THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS…
The other day two fine young men and their mother left Church after communion. As always, I was waiting for everyone to come out and say hello. When they saw me, they all started laughing. I thought my hair was messed up, but the Mom explained; “They wanted to leave early, Father, and I told them that you would be out here to catch us. They convinced me, and just like I said, there you were…”   Just goes to show you boys….. always listen to your Mother!

God Bless!
Fr. Robert