“Families are at the very heart of our efforts to unleash the Gospel, because they are the first and most important setting in which evangelization takes place.”  (Archbishop Vigneron, UTG p. 24)
 
This is the season many of us meet up with friends and relatives we don’t see very often.  It’s also a special time because college students come home, younger children are off school, and we spend time together.
 
Add an evangelization element to your family time—take a minute to say a prayer together, speak about the many things that have been and will be going on at St. Clare, make sure everyone knows the Christmas Mass schedule, and plan activities so all family members can take advantage of spiritual offerings at our Church.
 
I did something this season I haven’t done since my children were in grade school—I got an Advent Wreath to remind us of the season whenever we walk into the living room.  Even though there are only adults in our home now, Advent is a special time and we take a few minutes to prepare.
 
I have a son coming from far away and we are also working out the best Mass choice for our family on Christmas—planning meals and visits with friends and family around our family Mass choice.
 
This is something all of us do every year….and it is part of unleashing the Gospel.  We are not called to change what we do—just to think of WHY we do things.
 
By the way, there are cards on the tables near the doors of the Church with Christmas Mass times.  Take a few…give them to friends and neighbors.  Leave them on a table in a restaurant.
 
And most of all, have a very happy and blessed Christmas.
 
Shannon Scanlon