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Gifts Shared
January 2, 2015
It seems appropriate as we celebrate Epiphany that we take time to affirm the gifts shared with the family of God right here at St. Francis Xavier. I am amazed at the diversity of gifts found in our parishioners and blessed as I witness the sharing of those gifts for one another.
The level of outreach in this community is a testament to the faith of the people and their understanding of what it means to be Christian.
• I think of the many people who are talented decorators
and musicians with voice and instrument who share
their gifts to enhance our liturgical celebrations, and of
the many who share time, talent, and their faith with the
young people in a desire to hand on our shared faith in
Jesus Christ.
• I think of those who greet us as friend at the doors of
our church, and how they share the welcome of Christ
to visitor and stranger, and to those who visit the sick or
take Communion to the homebound – what a gift!
• My work allows me the privilege of gifting the sick with
prayer blankets and shawls made with love and prayers
by parishioners and witnessing a bounty of supplies
gifted to the Food Shelf.
• In our Health and Wellness Committee and the Parish
Nurses who head that group I witness gifts shared to
care for people; mind, body and spirit. I can only
imagine the number of prayers and conversations with
God that have occurred as Prayer Line participants
pray for the needs of our people. The gift of love and
time shared to listen to the needs of others by the
BeFrienders, I know has changes lives.
• I marvel at the gifts offered by our Social Justice
Committee as they challenge us to acknowledge and
care for all of God’s people.
• And what a joy to witness our school children as they
gather to worship; encouraged to develop their gifts to
share with community and the world.
• I am aware of and grateful for the many gifts shared by
an incredible staff both at our school and parish who
bring their gifts to share with the Body of Christ; and all
of this at the leadership of Fr. Tim who so graciously
shares his gifts and his love for Christ with us all.
I am convinced that God smiles at the gifts offered by the members of St. Francis Xavier to Christ and His Church.
With a grateful heart,
Deb Rudolph