At this time of year it is normal to think about the gifts we have given and those that have been received.  We stop and count our blessings for all the good in our lives.  Now is also a time to give thanks to God for the gift of our parish community. 
 
Whether it’s reaching out a hand of welcome at Mass, visiting the homebound, contributing financially, sharing your faith with others, or serving in one of our many ministries; your gift to St. Clare matters.  When we work together and practice our faith together, we become part of something greater than ourselves.  We have a chance to connect with God and with each other as we strive to become missionary disciples, while Unleashing the Gospel in our faith community and beyond.
 
Thank you very much for your continued support of our St. Clare community.  Merry Christmas and many blessings in 2019.  May you continue to Be Bold, Be Holy and Be Catholic!
 
What Do You Want for Christmas?
“What do you want for Christmas?”  This is a question we ask each other often before Christmas.   Yet how many of us actually take a few minutes to kneel before the infant Jesus and ask Him what He wants from us this Christmas.
When we kneel before the manger and ask Jesus what He wants, it is very possible that we will hear Him whisper that He wants us to share a little more of our time with Him.  Maybe each of us could make a New Year’s resolution to spend more time with God. 
· Go to Mass more frequently 
· Find some time for prayer in the morning 
· End our day with spiritual reading
· Pray the rosary while we drive to work
· Participate in Eucharistic Adoration
· Stop into church occasionally for a quiet visit
 
The gift of time with God could be the very best gift we could give this year, not only to Jesus but also to ourselves.   It might be just what our own hearts are truly longing for.