Stewardship Thoughts at Christmas

We look ahead to Christmas next weekend and know that our Christmas collection, one of our two largest special collections of the year, is a necessary part of our ability to support the many ministries, liturgies, and outreach that touch us throughout the year, even at times like 2020/2021 when our normal parish life has been interrupted.  The dedication of the people of Queen of All Saints to maintain our faith community in time of extreme challenge has always been a hallmark of our parish.
 
We know this has been one of the most difficult years in the lives of many of our parishioners, in their health, the health and lives of their loved ones, and in their own financial security.  We also know that the burdens of the pandemic have been unevenly felt, with some faring better than others.
 
As you look around the basilica with a new-found sense of joy and fellowship this Christmas we hope you appreciate the sacrifices made by those who came before us, who sat in the same pews we sit in today, to help build our parish and set aside a cushion to help with emergencies, as we experienced in the last few years when faced with the urgent needs to replace our basilica ceiling and repair our bell tower.
 
We hope you also remember all the times our parish has touched our lives, at all points from the very young to the very old.  Our parish remains our anchor, not just as a symbol of our faith but more importantly as an actual force in our lives as we live the words of Christ for each other.
 
It has been impossible for all of us to attend Mass weekly this year.  As a result, our weekly collections have been affected.  Consider this an opportunity to “make up” your support for our parish at year end.  Remember, our bills continue even when we are just partially open.