Rejoicing in Successes

Today we celebrate Gaudete Sunday – the word is the command form of “Rejoice!” taken from the beginning of the New Testament epistle proclaimed today. Most times we rejoice naturally to positive experiences in our lives, and we need to make sure we take the time to appreciate these blessings. At other times, though, when we are worn out or feeling down, being challenged to rejoice anyway is a Christian act of faith and charity that can allow God to break us out of our own way of seeing things and show us there is still reason for rejoicing: in our own blessings and in the joy of others around us that we are called to share and celebrate with them.

In our local region, there has been much joy and celebration over the remarkable, undefeated season of our KP High School football team, who won the Superbowl this year! This is the first time they made it to the championship game! This is not only a celebration for this year’s team and the King Philip community, but I have heard from many alumni in our parishes of how important this triumph is for them as well. Whether you were involved in the football program or not, this is one of those high school sporting events that traditionally draws people together from the regional towns into a wider community. Fr. Bill attended several games, and I saw how hard they played in this championship game and the adversity they faced from a more experienced playoff team. We can all be proud of the sportsmanship the KP team displayed in the face of questionable calls on the field. Their victory and our community support are an example of how we can rejoice in the successes of others around us.

On a more religious level, the longstanding Holiday Fair at St. Martha Parish was another great success this year! The hard work of many parishioners makes possible this very significant fundraiser (estimated to be over $12,000 this year) which is needed to help balance the parish budget, and the whole St. Martha Parish Family is very grateful! Just as importantly in my mind, this event brings together many parishioners – whether on the committee to prepare, as volunteers at the event itself, and as donors to the famous baskets and “Claire’s Corner” goods. There are many St. Mary parishioners who also donated and supported St. Martha by attending the fair. In particular, this successful parish event could not have happened without the dedication of the Fair Committee, co-chaired by Liz Molloy, Dianne Moores and Micheline Woolson, Committee members include: Kathy Mederios, Judy Almeida, Ana DeGuzman, Mary Cushman, Sarah Meri- gold and Jeanie Grazado. Thank you for the untiring efforts you have made since summertime to create crafts, recruit corporate sponsors, and coordinate the many people and pieces of this wonderful event! Thanks also to all of our corporate sponsors, who are listed on the St. Martha page.

May these successes and the many other sources of joy around us help to lift us up when we are weary and reassure us the Advent – the coming – of our Savior is close at hand.