Third Sunday of Advent

News and Notes: Isaiah the Prophet and John the Baptist both urged the people of their time to make “their winding roads straight and their rough ways smooth” in preparation for the coming of the Lord.  You can respond to their challenge by celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation before Christmas.  Fr. Tony and I will be available in the Reconciliation Room of our parishes on Saturday, December 19 from 3-3:45PM (Fr. Tony at SMG and Fr. Paul at OLA) and Monday December 21 from 6:30-7:30PM (Fr. Paul at SMG and Fr. Tony at OLA).  If you have not yet made a pledge to our Development Campaign entitled “Faith to Action,” please fill out one of the cards you received in the mail or pick one up at the entrances of our churches, and make a commitment to support the mission of your particular parish in the Lynnfield Catholic Community.  With one more month to go in the 2015 Catholic Appeal, OLA parishioners have surpassed their fair share assessment, while SMG parishioners are just $1703 shy of their assessment.  Once again this year, if a parish in the Archdiocese of Boston goes over its assessment it will receive back 60% of the excess funds collected, while if a parish falls short of its assessment, it must pay the shortfall amount out of its savings.  As Christmas approaches, please consider making a gift to the Catholic Appeal and help your respective parish support its life and mission.  Blessings to all of you in the remaining days of Advent!