The Work of Christmas Begins
When the carols have been stilled,
When the star-topped tree is taken down,
When family and friends are gone home,
When we are back to our schedules
The work of Christmas begins:
To welcome the refugee,
To heal a broken planet,
To feed the hungry,
To build bridges of trust, not walls of fear,
To share our gifts,
To seek justice and peace for all people,
To bring Christ’s light to the world.
When the star-topped tree is taken down,
When family and friends are gone home,
When we are back to our schedules
The work of Christmas begins:
To welcome the refugee,
To heal a broken planet,
To feed the hungry,
To build bridges of trust, not walls of fear,
To share our gifts,
To seek justice and peace for all people,
To bring Christ’s light to the world.
(by Michael Dougherty, a variation on Howard Thurman's ‘When the Song of the Angels is Stilled’)
Start the Year Off on the Right Foot!
Check out the many opportunities our parish and many ministries offer you and your family to help you begin the work of Christmas in the true spirit of God's love.
Welcome the Holy Spirit, Celebrate the Eucharist
Friday | January 10
6:30 PM | Praise & Worship
7 PM | Mass
Followed by Fellowship
Encounter the Lord more deeply through praise, worship, thanksgiving, and rejoicing!
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Wednesday | January 15
7 PM - 8:30 PM | Parish Hall
All are welcome!
This IS happening in our own community!
FREE seminar for TEENS, PARENTS, and MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY to learn more about human trafficking in Richmond. Come hear from a Henrico Vice Detective, a Commonwealth's Attorney who helped draft the 2015 Human Trafficking Bill, and a forensic nurse who works with victims.
Learn how to protect yourself and your family and see what is happening in Henrico to combat this problem.
This Weekend
Before Masses
Don't forget to bring your filled Food Drive bags to church this weekend!
Help families have a nutritious and healthy start to the new year.
WWP Program - Winter 2020
January 16/17 - March 12/13
(9-Week Study)
Choose between two session times!
Thursdays | 7 PM - 8:30 PM
OR
Fridays | 9 AM - 10:30 AM
Beholding His Glory shows us how all Scripture points us to our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. As we look at Old Testament people and events, we will encounter problems that only Christ will solve, needs that only He will satisfy, and promises that only He can deliver.
Cost: $40 (includes materials and refreshments)
Symbolon: Living the Faith
Wednesday Mornings | 10 AM - 11:30 AM
Room 206
STARTS January 29!
All are welcome!
10-week small group presentation and discussion.
Welcome Theme for 2020:
Gain Perspective
Build Meaningful Relationships
Find Clarity & Purpose
The entire Welcome Weekend is informal—casual and comfortable is the rule. Prayerfully consider a Welcome Weekend. Come prepared to have fun and renew your spirit!
THIS WEEKEND | All Masses
Past Welcome participants will give Ambo Talks this weekend to share their Welcome experience and to personally invite you to be part of the next Welcome Weekend!
Support Our Fundraiser
and help us purchase a beautiful new piano for the entire congregation!
We moved the piano into the Worship Space just in time for our Christmas Masses, BUT we have not paid it off yet!
PURCHASE A KEY FOR $200.
You can buy one key, a chord, or a whole octave, if you wish!
Support our fellow Michaelonian and Hometown Favorite Damian Muller!
Muller makes music that’s consistently tender, touching, and well suited to sparking an emotional connection. Suffice it to say that if some of these songs don’t tempt a tear or two, then you’d be well advised to check your pulse and ensure your heart’s still beating.
(Bluegrass Today)
Doors Open 6 PM | Concert 7 PM | Parish Hall
Call the Parish Office or go online to secure your Advanced Ticket price!
February 13
9:15 AM | Mass
11:45 AM | Rally at the State Capitol
12:45 AM | March for Life
We will provide a bus to transport participants from St. Michael Parish to the State Capitol in Richmond. Reserve Your Seat on the Bus ($5)!
More info: Regina Coates | email here
Coffee & Donuts
Volunteers Needed!
Families, individuals, and ministry groups are encouraged to sign up.
We wanted to share with everyone a note from Officer Harris to one of our parish staff members. What a wonderful blessing to know that our parish has touched Officer Harris’s life in such a meaningful way! We are thankful for his service!
I wanted to pass on to you and staff at St. Michael that I will be retiring in January. My last Sunday for traffic is 12/29. I have worked a lot of off-duty jobs in my career, but being at St. Michael was my favorite. It was more to me than just making money. I enjoyed being there and taking pride in the effort of keeping the parishioners as safe as possible.There are not many places that you can go in uniform these days where everybody is glad to see you.
I will miss my time there,
Ofc. C.E. Harris
HPD
Bicentennial Regional Mass
Saturday | January 18
10:30 AM
Sacred Heart Catholic Church | Norfolk
All are invited to attend Mass and the Reception immediately following.
Bishop Knestout will be presiding over the Bicentennial Regional Mass, which
will mark the beginning of our yearlong bicentennial celebration.
This is a unique opportunity for all the faithful in our region to celebrate a historic event with our bishop.
Special Weekend of Masses
January 18 & 19
St. Michael Parish will celebrate a special weekend of Masses commemorating Bishop Patrick Kelly's arrival in Virginia in 1820 and the opening of the Bicentennial Year, celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the Diocese of Richmond.