FEELING EXCEEDINGLY GRATEFUL AS I SAY GOODBYE IN ADVENT

There is no denying that most of us had wonderful times and moments together in the last few days during the Thanksgiving celebrations, perhaps with little trouble in certain places. Those beautiful times, togetherness, and moments of joy make our lives special and unique. Family bonds have been consolidated, relationships and social bonds strengthened, gifts received and given out, emotional and psychological health boosted, new memories created, and more. That is what we gain in celebrations like the annual Thanksgiving. Whenever we celebrate together, we see the joy the world can bring. That we find moments to celebrate together does not mean we are inattentive to the vicissitudes of life. Instead, it means we have hope for a better future even as we recognize God’s blessings amidst the sometimes unpleasant experiences of life.

In the spirit of thanksgiving to God for his goodness and providence, we acknowledge the gift of yet another advent season, a time of hope and prayerful waiting on the promises of God. It is a period of preparation for the celebration of the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is also a time when we are offered the opportunity to contemplate and prepare for his second coming in glory.  One way to prepare well is to recognize his daily comings when we hear and keep his word, encounter him in the sacraments, and identify him in our neighbor, especially among the suffering and needy. It could be tempting sometimes to take liturgical seasons for granted. We are indeed grateful that God, through his church, offers us this grace-filled moment. May we make the best use of it.

Gratitude is something we cannot give too much. The French Novelist and literary critic Marcel Proust was inspired when he wrote, “Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” I am deeply grateful to every one of you, the parishioners of St. Andrew Chicago, as I prepare to say goodbye. It is now about two years of incredible hospitality, love, and care given to me by this wonderful Christian community. I will be graduating next month with a master's degree in philosophy from Loyola University Chicago, and this was made possible and easy because of St. Andrew. I thank our wonderful pastor, Fr. Sergio Romo, and his collaborators for their fraternal love and unwavering support towards me. I appreciate Dr. Carol Walters, the Archdiocesan representative who made my coming to St. Andrew possible. The acceptance, support, and love I received from parishioners of St. Andrew was stellar. Remarkably, my experience with the schoolchildren, with whom I had liturgical encounters and from whom I learned a lot, is memorable. That is why it is difficult for me to say goodbye. Nonetheless, I am still grateful for the opportunity to say goodbye.

At St. Andrew, I experienced a loving community and excellent collaboration among genuinely godly people. I was given the opportunity, indeed a privilege, to gather, learn, and love. St. Andrew parish created a lot of spiritual and social occasions that brought people together, from which I benefited much. My great moments were at the liturgy and other non-liturgical activities held regularly in the auditorium (Gym). I won’t forget wearing the green celebration and our schoolchildren's beautiful Christmas carol performances. By interacting with many people from diverse backgrounds, I learned a lot about life and have developed new skills to love more and better. You, the parishioners of St. Andrew, have played a significant role in my personal growth. Your acceptance, support, and love have positively transformed me. I can only be grateful for the “privileged opportunities” and all the good things I received from the families and individuals I encountered at St. Andrew. I have also become aware of my weaknesses and areas of my life needing improvement, and I am thankful to you all.

As I prepare to leave, my prayer and hope for St. Andrew Parish is that we continue to grow in love as we gather and learn from one another. May we continue to strive to develop strong bonds of mutual love and support within our Christian community and beyond. I am confident that our community, with its strong foundation of love and support, will continue to thrive and grow. Indeed, such expansive love, which manifests in a radical concern for others, is the hallmark of our Christian faith and the attitude fit for this advent. I am optimistic about the future of St. Andrew Catholic community. You have the assurance of my prayers.

May God bless you all, and have a happy advent!

Bulldog Buddies

Registration for the winter Bulldog Buddies session is open. We look forward to welcoming our Bulldog Buddies on Tuesday, January 7. Bulldog Buddies is a class for children  who turn two years old by September 1, 2024.  Our teachers and curriculum offer children the opportunity to experience our school setting in a safe, nurturing environment along with their caregivers. More information is attached. Bulldog Buddies Registration 

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