Happy Advent! I am grateful for the gift of this season to prepare our hearts for Christmas. Along with Lent, Advent is one of two 'penitential' seasons of the Church. While sometimes thought of as a punishment, penance is actually a commitment to bring ourselves back into alignment and right relationship with God. In order to celebrate Christmas well, I want to encourage all of our parish families to find simple but meaningful ways of doing penance this Advent as an grateful offering to God for all that He has done for you. What's one thing you can give up or take up this holy season to help you reconnect with and recommit to Christ?

Fr. Redmond Memorial Scholarship
  I'd like to offer you the opportunity to make a donation to the Fr. Redmond Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship to support Catholic education will provide a $1,000 scholarship for a graduating 8th grade student of St. Mary School to attend a Catholic high school of their choosing. Donors contributing $50 or more will receive a booklet highlighting the milestones of Fr. Redmond's pastorate, and donors contributing $200 or more will receive a two-volume set of Fr. Redmond's words as published in the weekly bulletins and St. Mary Messenger newsletters. This is an awesome way to honor Fr. Redmond's legacy and support families choosing Catholic education for their children! Please make your donations payable to St. Mary Parish with memo "Fr. Redmond Scholarship." You can place your donation in the collection basket, deliver to the parish office, or give online at https://stpatrickthompson.org/fr-redmond-memorial-scholarship.

#WeGiveCatholic (Nov 30)
  St. Mary School in Chardon is excited to participate in #WeGiveCatholic on this #GivingTuesday, November 30. Gifts made to St. Mary School will help raise funds to install a dual-sided digital sign facing to help St. Mary Parish and School welcome newcomers, share info on upcoming events, and spread the Gospel of Christ. I cherish the bonds of love and support that our St. Patrick Parish community has with St. Mary Parish and School in Chardon. If you'd like to support this day of giving, please visit https://www.wegivecatholic.org/organization/St-Mary-Parish-School to make a donation, or drop off a cash or check donation to the St. Mary School office on or before November 30 in an envelope with the marking or memo "WGC" and your family name (unless you would prefer your donation to remain anonymous).

Heart of a Shepherd Commitment Weekend (Dec 4-5)
  Next weekend we will have our parish commitment weekend to the Heart of a Shepherd Campaign where we will have the opportunity to learn about, pray for, and pledge our support for this diocesan-wide campaign. The Heart of a Shepherd Campaign seeks to raise funds to renovate the seminary living spaces, fully fund the priest pension account, and establish a fund to assist newly ordained priests pay off college debt. A good portion of money raised will come back to St. Patrick Parish to support some of our capital improvement needs. I will offer remarks after the homily and lead us through the pledge process. I am so grateful for all the support we've already received from parish families for this campaign, and am excited to invite you to support our seminaries, priests, and the ongoing work of our parish!

  Thank you for your continued support and generosity to our various initiatives at the parish. I pray you have a happy start to this Advent season.