St Nicholas Advent Festival

Dearly beloved,

In the past years, we've always had an annual auction dinner to raise funds at the St Nicholas Advent Festival.  But this year was a bit different.  

The St Merrymakers donated food so that parishioners can have a complimentary meal.  And they trusted in the generosity of parishioners to make donations towards the Liturgy Fund.  

I'm reminded that one time, The Lord entered the temple of Jerusalem, and discovered it operating like a marketplace.  So he drove out the money changers.  He said that his Father's house is to be a house of prayer.  

By having a complimentary meal, I think that the St Merrymakers are helping to preserve the integrity of St Mary Parish as a place of worship, and a house of prayer.  

Sometimes because of limited funds and shortfall in ordinary collection, the parish can easily have a commercial mindset and resort to operating as a business to survive.  

But when parishioners put God first and recognized the need to preserve the integrity of the parish, it can change the outlook and perspective.  

It reminds us of our identity as a parish. It keeps us from being a consumer.  It calls to mind who we are and what we are called to do, which is to be disciples in service and to make disciples for Christ.  

Sometimes a priest's action can have an influence on the parishioners.  And vice versa, sometimes when parishioners, in their creative and bold actions, trusting in God's providence, their actions can also have an amazing effect on the priest.  

Thank you for your generosity towards at the St Nicholas Advent Festival and together let's continue to discover ways and have collaborative effort in preserving the integrity of St Mary Parish as a place of worship, a house of prayer.