Thank you--and blessings for 2011

Dear friends at St. Stephen’s, It was a glorious Christmas here at St. Stephen’s. Our Lessons and Carols and Christmas Eve services were full houses. And I am still hearing from people how wonderful the Christmas tableau of children at Christmas Eve Mass was, from our sweetly rogue shepherd to the attempted donkey ride to the tender placing of the infant Jesus at the Station at the Crèche. I am grateful to all who you who made our Christmas Services a joyous and blessed time at St. Stephen’s. Thanks especially to our wonderful musicians – James and Michelle. The music, I think we all have to admit, was particularly beautiful. Special thanks to James for playing at all the Wednesday night Masses in Advent and Christmas. Thank you to all of all the acolytes, worship leaders, lectors, greeters and ushers and everyone who worked hard behind the scenes. The Altar Guild did a wonderful job once again of making our Church beautiful. And the added touch of the Jesse Tree for Advent was very nice. Thank you once again to Annette Morrow and the Morrow family for the donation of the absolutely lovely Nativity set, which is has been the source of much praise. Thank you to Alice Hauan for preparing gifts for the children. Thank you to Joy Coffey for coordinating Christmas flowers. Thank you also to Dean Steve Sellers for preaching a very meaningful homily at our St. Stephen’s Day Mass (despite the fact that the heating wasn’t working that morning!) I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you for being part of this wonderful family of St. Stephen’s. My love, prayers and blessings be with each of you for a safe and prosperous 2011. And I ask your prayers as well as we look forward to a very bright future together at St. Stephen’s in 2011 and beyond. - peace, Fr. Jamie+