Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Newsletter — December 2021

DECEMBER 2021

Our Lady of Lourdes CATHOLIC CHURCH

Advent Events

Prepare Our Hearts

and Direct Us to the

O

Birth of Christ

ur Lady of Lourdes Parish has welcomed the arrival of Advent with the inaugural Advent Fair held Nov. 27 and 28 in the Fallon Center hall. After a three-year hiatus, this newly formatted event welcomed families to take part with free activities for all ages, various items for sale, and all turning our attention to the coming of Jesus at Christmas.

“These activities include putting faith into action during Advent,” says Candace Sperati, Coordinator of Children’s Faith Formation and Marriage. “The message for the fair was asking, what are we doing to look to Jesus’s arrival? We want to keep Him present in Advent.”

One of the activity packets provided during the fair included strands of hay. Children are asked to

do something for Jesus each day of Advent — even a small thing — and with that act, they can place a strand of hay in a manger. By the time Christmas arrives, the manger is filled with soft hay for Jesus.

Advent wreaths and candles were sold, with the proceeds going toward the parish deficit.

Baked goods and hot chocolate also were available for purchase.

Performing works of service is also an important part of Advent, and our middle school students and youth group are being asked to take part.

Examples include writing cards to parish homebound families, or residents in the nursing home our parish supports, or to military families who have a loved one stationed far from home. continued on back cover

Stewardship of Treasure

Giving to God First H

ave you ever wondered why no one really becomes uneasy when someone brings up the first two “Ts” of stewardship — giving of your time or talents — but when the third “T” comes up, many of us become uncomfortable?

That third “T” is treasure, and some people simply become so annoyed by the subject, they tune out the words from the pulpit.

Why is there seemingly such an adverse reaction?

Our finances are such a personal subject. Discussing money issues with others is not easy, and having someone tell us what to do with our finances is even worse. We earn the money, after all. So shouldn’t we decide what to do with it?

Of course, the answer is “yes” — we decide every day how to spend our hard-earned dollars. Indeed, the monetary choices we make will either keep our finances in check, or put us into the red. The average American family has about $7,000 in credit card debt — so finances certainly represent a challenge to our current society. Tight budgets, trying to “keep up with the Joneses” or poor financial management may be to

blame for our tight resources. Does this mean we do not have anything left over for God? Stewardship, at its roots, teaches that we are not supposed to give God our “leftovers.” We should instead strive to return to God a portion of our “first fruits” — giving to God first and then using the rest for our other needs. God gave us our talents that help us earn a living, after all. He should come first.

This idea can be worrisome for many. If our finances are already strained, how will we ever find enough to give back to God? Or, if we do try to give God our “first fruits,” will there be enough left over to cover our required expenses?

Taking the correct financial steps toward good stewardship simply boils down to trust — believing that God, who takes care of all of His creation, will take care of us. Trust that in giving to God first, we are both acknowledging that our multitude of blessings come from Him, and that we are thankful He chose to give them to us. And finally, trust that if we give to Him first, that all else will fall into place — because He is in ultimate control.

Stewardship, at its roots, teaches that we are not supposed to give God our “leftovers.” We should instead strive to return to God a portion of our “first fruits” — giving to God first and then using the rest for our other needs.

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A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR

Dear Parishioners,

Stewardship Possibilities are Endless at Christmas

W

hen I think of December, the first thing that comes to my mind is Christmas. While that may seem obvious, there are several other possibilities. I could think of Advent, which prepares us for Christmas. I could think of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation, and the patronal festival of the United States. I could think of Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose popularity has spread far beyond the Hispanic community.

December also brings the winter solstice. And it brings the end of the secular calendar year and the hope that a new year always offers and the resolutions we try to make.

But instead, I think of Christmas — one of the greatest feasts of the Christian year, along with Easter and Pentecost. The basic truth of Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus the Messiah, God Incarnate, is plenty of reason for us all to rejoice and worship. But we’ve piled so much extra baggage on our Christmas observance, and worship is often almost lost in the shuffle.

We send Christmas cards to people we contact at no other time of the year. We put up wreaths, Christmas trees, and lights. We host parties for family and friends.

We visit relatives. We plan and prepare Christmas meals. And we have Christmas gifts to buy. No wonder the Christ Mass becomes an afterthought!

Maybe, though, we can combine our Christmas activities with our stewardship commitments.

Treasure is the simplest.

Shouldn’t the most expensive Christmas present we give be the one to Jesus whose birthday we’re celebrating? Risen and glorified, He needs nothing we have. But His Body — the Church — continues Jesus’ mission here on earth and always needs additional resources.

Time and Talent may be a little more complicated, but can’t we spend a little more of our time in worship and prayer? Stop by the church for a visit to the Christmas Crib and offer a prayer of thanks for the gift of God’s Son. Attend Mass each day of the Christmas Octave. Gather your family for prayers together in the morning or at dinner in preparation for Christmas Day and through the Christmas season. We must remember that Advent celebrates the last four weeks of a pregnancy where most women will slow down and prepare for the gift that is soon to come.

And Talent? There are lots of possibilities: Sing in the choir for the Christmas Masses. Help decorate the Church. Cook or bake

for someone who is shut-in. Invite someone who will be alone to share Christmas dinner with your family. Offer to work in a soup kitchen if you will be alone. The possibilities are endless.

Yes, December means Christmas. But with some planning, we can make this hectic time a real blessing both for ourselves and others. Pray for me that I can keep Christmas properly, and always be assured of my prayers for you.

May God bless you and your families abundantly this Christmas and throughout the new year.

In Christ,

Fr. Patrick Keane Pastor

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An Inside Look at

Our Music Min

A

dvent and Christmas are beautiful times of the liturgical year — the Mass readings help us prepare for the coming of Christ, and the music helps us to reflect on the joy of the upcoming season.

Director of Liturgy and Music Brenda Accurso loves Christmas music, too. She enjoys that during Christmas, most people know the Mass songs enough to sing along, which aids in the celebration of the Liturgy.

She is also thankful to be back to singing at Our Lady of Lourdes, after taking a break for so long due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The adult Cecilia’s Choir and children’s choir Lyric went back to singing at Lent this year.

“We’ve seen more people become choir members,” Brenda says. “It’s really nice to be back.”

Brenda asks parishioners to consider if they have musical talents — and if so, to use them to glorify the Lord. She invites anyone who can play an instrument to contact her, as it may make for a beautiful addition to the Mass.

“I love unlocking people’s musical talents,” Brenda says. “If you aren’t sure if you are good enough to join, we can work on breathing and note reading. You can learn a lot about music. We can work together to learn together.”

In addition, Brenda enjoys introducing children to the

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nistry: Unlocking Talents to Enhance Our Liturgies gift of music. Lyric is open to fourth grade through high school students, whether they are parochial or public students, or homeschooled. The group does a local tour and records a CD each year. As Brenda notes, involvement in the choir can lay a firm foundation for a future in music. Many of the adults in Cecilia’s Choir got their start in liturgical music as kids in the children’s choir.

“Kids don’t often know how to use their voices correctly — this is a great way to get them started,” Brenda says. “When a child is in the youth choir, it blesses their family and everyone in the parish.”

The Liturgy is a central tenet of our faith, and we should all consider ways we can pitch in to make it more beautiful. In turn, participation in the Liturgy can help us learn more about the faith. It’s also a great way to become part of a smaller community at Our Lady of Lourdes and make new friends.

This past November, the adult and children’s choirs performed a community concert — Brenda plans to make this an annual event as a means of evangelization.

Another important element of our liturgical music is the Cantor Ministry. These individuals lead the music at the Masses where the choir isn’t singing. Brenda extends her gratitude to all those who aid in the Mass as a Cantor.

Cecilia’s Choir practices from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays. Lyric practices from either 2:50 to 3:50 p.m. on Thursdays or 6 to 7 on Tuesdays. Cecilia’s Choir sings at one Mass a weekend. Lyric sings at two Masses per month. If you would like more information, please contact Brenda Accurso at 919-861-4611 or baccurso@ourladyoflourdescc.org.

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The Origin and Beauty of

the Nativity Scene W

ith all the commercialism surrounding Christmastime, it’s far too easy for us to lose sight of the true reason behind the season. Overwhelmed by our endless to-do lists and the hustle and bustle of last-minute shopping, our focus quickly shifts away from the Christ Child’s birth. And yet, hidden amongst the holly wreaths and garlands, the Christmas Nativity remains a tangible reminder of the Incarnation, pulling us back into time for a moment as we reflect upon the incredible gift of Christ’s birth.

Interestingly, it was circumstances much like our own today which first led St. Francis of Assisi to recreate the Nativity scene nearly 800 years ago. Frustrated with the growing materialism and greed that seemed to pervade 13th century Italy, St. Francis wanted a way to visually remind people of Christ’s humble beginnings — to show them that Christmas isn’t about pomp and circumstance or material goods, but rather about unselfish love. Describing the idea to his friend Giovanni, St. Francis wrote, “I want to do something that will recall the memory of that child who was born in Bethlehem, to see with bodily eyes the inconveniences of his infancy, how he lay in the manger...”

And so St. Francis’ idea took form on Christmas

Eve in 1223. This original Nativity scene was a living one, even including live animals. Villagers were deeply moved by the silent display of humble beauty, and the Nativity tradition soon spread throughout Italy and surrounding Europe. It is a tradition that remains today in nearly every Christian church and in many homes. In fact, it’s hard to imagine Christmas without a Nativity scene somewhere.

Coming in various sizes and styles, each Nativity replica continues to focus our hearts on the true meaning of Christmas — to help us remember that Christmas isn’t about the amount of gifts under the tree or the festive decorations, but rather about celebrating Christ’s birth. Many families have a tradition of hiding the Infant Jesus, only placing Him in the crib on Christmas morning. This helps build anticipation during the Advent season as we anxiously await the Divine’s birth. Others go a step further, actually wrapping up the Christ Child to be opened as the very first gift of Christmas.

Yet, whatever your family’s particular traditions, we hope that the Christmas Nativity continues to draw your heart heavenward this Christmas season — to center us all on the greatest gift ever given, our Incarnate Lord.

Coming in various sizes and styles, each Nativity replica continues to

focus our hearts on

the true meaning of Christmas — to help us remember that Christmas isn’t about the amount of gifts under the tree or the festive decorations, but rather about

celebrating Christ’s birth.

06

Student Michael Hughes Reflects on His Growth in Our Community OLL School Alumnus Continues Faith Journey Through Music Ministry

W

hen he was in the sixth grade at Our Lady of Lourdes School, Michael Hughes began playing violin at school Mass on Fridays. He played almost every week until he went to high school. Now as a senior at N.C. State, he is still involved in our parish’s Music Ministry today.

“My participation in the Music Ministry at OLL, first through school Mass and now through weekend Masses and special events, has made me feel like a part of the community,” says Michael, who is a violinist with the N.C. State Orchestra. “It has been special for me to have participated in the ministry for such a large part of my life.”

Though members at a different parish in North Raleigh, Michael’s parents enrolled him in Our Lady of Lourdes Middle School in 2011. He describes his experience as “challenging and insightful.”

“During my three years of middle school, I grew to possess a deep and lasting faith, and I feel that I grew to be a more well-rounded and confident person,” Michael says. “I was a very shy, scared sixth-grader, and my time at OLL allowed me to explore my interests all while growing closer to the faith and to others.”

Later in middle school, Michael joined the OLL Youth Group, and he enjoyed getting to know both older and younger people who helped him grow in his understanding of the faith.

“I remember a member of the choir commenting on how they’ve seen me grow up and how my musicality has developed over the years,” Michael says. “I’ve played with some of them since I was 12. It’s incredibly special for me to think how much I have grown with many of the same people in the ministry.”

Over the years, Michael’s faith has grown and matured as he has gotten older and continued engaging in and with the faith community.

“My faith is a work in progress that needs constant attention and thought, but being involved at OLL has allowed me to explore it in so many ways,” Michael says. “Seeing others grow in their faith during Mass especially deepens my own faith. It’s always touching to see others grow deeper into a state of prayer and reflection when I participate in playing music.”

Michael Hughes (left) along with Gabriella Ercolino perform at OLL’s presentation of Handel’s Messiah last year. Michael and Gabriella are graduates of OLL School.

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During the Advent season as a child, Michael remembers taking turns with his sister in lighting the Hughes family’s Advent wreath.

“We would often read from an Advent prayer and reflection book that we got from our parish every night before we said grace,” Michael says. “Though I don’t get to participate in family dinners every night during Advent as a college student, I am glad to have fond memories of the Advent season with my family.”

Michael is grateful to have been able to participate in the Music Ministry for as long as he has and to have grown in his faith through his involvement at Our Lady of Lourdes.

“The faith community was always encouraging of my playing when I was younger, even though I was young and probably didn’t play all that well,” Michael says. “Faith and music are so important to me, and I’m so thankful that the faith community has given me a chance to express both so meaningfully.”

My faith is a work in progress that needs constant attention and thought, but being involved at OLL has allowed me to explore it in so many ways.

” Michael Hughes 07

2718 Overbrook Drive | Raleigh, North Carolina 27608 919-861-4600 | ourladyoflourdescc.org

Advent Events

continued from front cover

The students and families in Faith Formation also created Jesse Tree ornaments for the Advent Fair.

“Our parishioners are all so good about being involved,” Candace says.

A major service project Our Lady of Lourdes supports is “Wrapped With Love,” operated by Catholic Charities.

“Catholic Charities gives us a list of items needed, by age,” Candace says. “We distribute the list to our families and they bring gifts back into the church.

One of our ministries takes the packages and wrapping paper to Catholic Charities. Last year, we had two truckloads of gifts! Catholic Charities then sets out the gifts so their client families can come in and buy what they want at low prices, to enable them to get items with dignity. Catholic Charities wants them to feel they are purchasing something for their families. The agency then wraps their choices.”

Plans are underway for the celebration of

Christmas with music to fill our church.

On Christmas Eve, there will be a 4 p.m. Mass that traditionally is attended by families with children.

The English Mass is at 7 p.m., followed by the Spanish Mass at 9 p.m. There also will be Midnight Mass celebrated. On Christmas Day, there will only be Mass at 10 a.m. There will be no 5 p.m. vigil Mass.

Brenda Accurso, Music and Liturgical Director, is planning to have Lyric, the children’s choir, sing for the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass, and Cecilia’s Choir, the adult choir, will sing at the 7 p.m. Mass.

“Brenda will be bringing in extra musicians with violins and flutes, among other instruments, to make it a nice celebration,” Candace says.

Candace already is thinking about the Advent Fair for next year, with various ideas under consideration.

But for now, she is focused on moving our parish forward through and past the challenges we all have faced as we look to celebrate the birth of Christ!

Mass Times

SATURDAY VIGIL, 5:00 PM | SUNDAY, 9:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM Spanish, 5:00 PM MONDAY, 8:00 AM | TUE — FRI, 8:30 AM | THURSDAY, 6:30 PM Spanish Confession Times: WEDNESDAY, 12:00 PM | SATURDAY, 3:00 PM