News - December 2024 RSS Feed

Psalm 128: “Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways.”

This is a joyful season because this is the time that we celebrate God’s love for us. When God gave humanity the ultimate gift--He entered into our time so that we would know that we are never alone. Sure, all of the festivities of Christmas are fun, and I certainly encourage us to have a little more fun in our lives, but fun is not enough. We celebrate that during the darkest days of the year, the light of Christ shown first in Bethlehem. We celebrate that in a time that values money, power, and status. The Son of God was born in a small town to poor parents. We celebrate because we remember that Christ came to save us all.

Psalm 80: “Lord, make us turn to You; let us see Your face and we shall be saved.”

On behalf of Fr. Greg, Deacon Matt, all the staff of our family of parishes, and myself, we wish you a happy and blessed Christmas season!

Isaiah 12: “Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.”

BLESSING OF THE BAMBINELLI Parishioners of our EM Catholic Community are invited to bring your figurine of the infant Jesus on Gaudete Sunday. During each Mass parishioners will hold up their infant Jesus for a blessing and then place Jesus in the manger scene at home. The Blessing of the Bambinelli (baby Jesus) was first instituted by St. John Paul II. On the Third Sunday of Advent, the children of Rome are encouraged to bring the baby Jesus (Bambinelli) from each of their nativity sets to St. Peter’s Square. Following the Sunday Angelus address, the Pope blesses the figurines. Now celebrated in many churches around the world, this Advent tradition is a way for children to connect their nativity scene at home to the celebration of Christmas at their church. But this tradition is for all ages!

Let us be joyful this Gaudete Sunday and every Sunday. We acknowledge the work that needs to be done, not simply in terms of Advent preparations, but in terms of our lives on Earth. However, we are joyful because we are not alone. We have our Savior, our Church, and our Community to walk with us on this journey. Click on title for the complete reflection.

RSVP, Volunteer and Donate

A more just, compassionate, merciful and loving Kingdom awaits us. With God’s guidance, in prayer, let’s start building it!

EMCC SNOW CLOSING POLICY: If either the Olean City School District or the Allegany-Limestone School District delcare a snow day, then there will be no public liturgies in any of the EM Catholic family churches and the Parish Office Hub will be closed.