This coming weekend, we end one year, begin another, and continue our celebration of Christmas. All of those realities come together as we gather for worship.
CONTINUING CHRISTMAS
& BEGINNING A NEW YEAR The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
The celebration of Christmas continues with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God at 4 p.m. Saturday (New Year's Eve) and 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday (New Year's Day). If you can't attend in-person, a link to a livestream of the 8:30 Mass is at left and at the parish web site. The link can be watched anytime after 8:30. Here is a link to the worship aid and a link to the Solemnity's readings.
LOTS OF END-OF-YEAR EMAILS
More than I recall in the past, the approaching year-end has filled my email in-box with dozens of appeals for last-minute, end-of-2022 giving. It occurs to me that St. Anne shouldn't miss out on the fun (or the holiday generosity). If you are able to make an extra, end-of-year gift to the parish, it's easy to do - right here! This would be also be a perfect time, if you haven't done so already, to participate in the Christmas Wrap-Up for the Inspired by the Spirit campaign and make a pledge or contribution as we get ever closer to exceeding our target.
AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR PARISH IN 2022 AND HOPEFULLY IN THE NEW YEAR AS WELL. HAPPY NEW YEAR! -Fr. TomL
GATHERING GIFT CARDS AND BABY BOTTLES
Parishioners are encouraged to donate gift cards, which will be given to St. Vincent de Paul to share in their outreach to individuals and families in need. Cards are requested for Kwik Trip, Pick ’n’ Save and Walgreens valued at $5 to $25. Cards will be accepted until Jan. 8, and can be put in the collection basket at Mass.
Baby bottles distributed during Advent also are being collected to support the Hope Life Center and its outreach to those facing an unplanned pregnancy or dealing with a past abortion.
VIDEOS OF NOTE FOR CHRISTMASTIME
Wausau native and legendary folk musician John McCutcheon presents the world’s most famous song about the Christmas Truce of 1914, “Christmas in the Trenches," as part of a concert at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City. Fr. Tom shared a similar version of this story in his Christmas homily. Thanks to parishioner Lori Bychinski for sharing the link.
Jesuit Fr. James Martin shares his discovery of a moving rendition of "Good King Wenceslas" by the folk group The Roches, which offers a wonderful and humbling reminder of the significant place of the poor in the Christmas story and our lived experience of Christmas.
Franciscan Fr. Casey Cole offers important insights into the unsettling nature of the "real" Christmas story. His analysis is hopeful and enightening as we continue our celebration of the Incarnation.
While you can't see the Christmas Choir's prelude before Christmas Eve Mass, you can hear the beautiful carols they led the "Primary Choir" in singing. There's also the rest of our wonderful celebration here as well. Merry Christmas!
MUSIC, MISSION & LIGHT
Our three extraordinary nights with ValLimar Jansen are available online for the next month. Simply click on the image at left. You'll also find an earlier interview with ValLimar.
