CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Dear Friends,
In a few days, we will celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! Christmas Day is a most joyous occasion! Each year, as Catholic Christians, we wait with anticipation for the Incarnation of the Lord.
This year, 2020 has brought us all to our knees more times than most years in recent memory causing us to adapt to constant changes and uncertainty. Normally, during the time leading up to Christmas, our families are busy, making plans, buying gifts, and preparing for how “Christmas” will look. This year, however “Christmas” will look very different than in years past. Many of us will be far from those we love and those we normally spend this joyful time with; some will be mourning the loss of friends and family who have passed this year and all of us will spend it with the elephant in the room which this COVID-19, has become. But, my dear friends, I am here to tell you that despite all these, CHRISTMAS has not changed and will not change! This means, our reason for joy, our reason for hope, our reason to share love with others is the same; yesterday, today, and forever! Jesus Christ is the reason for this season, and He will enter into our world, into our nation, into our homes, and into our hearts anew- if we give Him permission to. The love of our Heavenly Father and His offer of Salvation is forever available to us because of the Mystery of the Incarnation.
Yes, God became man so that we might have a chance at everlasting life. That is why preceding this moment, we began this advent season with our Journey towards holiness campaign. What a cause for celebration! Even with the backdrop of this worldwide pandemic and the uncertainty surrounding us all, we must remain steadfast in the confidence offered by the coming of the Christ Child. Yes, dear friends, Jesus is our Wonder Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, truly He is our physician. He alone mends the broken and heals the soul. Perhaps never have we been reminded so clearly of our desperate need for a physician than this Christmas 2020.
Therefore, my dear St Andrew the Apostle, please allow me to offer a word of encouragement to you all that help is on the way. While we continue to anticipate and pray for an end to this current situation, we find ourselves in, we know that the Savior of the World joins us in every aspect of what makes us human and He redeems it all.
May the birth of Christ usher in a new time of renewal in our hearts and in our world. As you all continue to plan for the celebration of Christmas in the next couple of days, we would like to make sure you are all aware of our Mass offerings.
The Christmas Schedule
On Christmas Eve we will have five Masses as follows:
At 1:00pm, in the Church.
At 4:00pm, in the main Church and it will also be steamed into Hennessy Hall and online at facebook.com/SaintAndrewAZ.
Additional Christmas Eve Masses are at:
6:30pm, in the main Church
8:30pm, in the main Church
Midnight.
On Christmas Day, we will offer two Masses as follows:
At 8:00am, inside the Church and,
At 10:00am, inside the Church, as well as online on Facebook.
Due to the pandemic, keep in mind that seating will be limited, and masks are required for all the in-person Masses. We will accommodate as many as is prudent, but because we have limited seating, please evaluate if you would rather join us online for one of our streaming offerings as an option.
In the meantime, please, be healthy, be smart and be holy!
Merry Christmas to you all!
-Fr. Robert
2020 Advent & Christmas Flipbook
Click the banner above to view and use the Advent and Christmas Resource provided by the Diocese of Phoenix.
A downloadable version is available below
Opportunities to join the St. Andrew staff are now available!
Open Positions
- Administrative Assistant to the Director Youth & Young Adult Evangelization and Communications & Marketing
- Building and Grounds Maintenance Worker
We would like to thank everyone who participated in the Christmas Giving Tree this year. We were able to provide over 400 gifts to families in need.
On behalf of Catholic Social Services, St. Anthony's Mission, St. Peter's Mission, Starbright Foundation, Healthy Families, Mother's Lifeline and the Good Samaritan Ministry, your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated.
The 2:00pm Teen Mass featuring our Life Teen band is now being livestreamed on the parish Facebook page.
Click above or visit the website to read the latest newsletter from our St. Andrew Stewardship Council
We are in need of people who are willing to sign up for an hour of prayer during Wednesday adoration.
Please click HERE, or the banner above, to sign up and commit an hour to spend with the Lord
Public Masses are now offered with limited capacity and strict social distancing protocols
Monday - Saturday | 8:30am
Wednesday | 6:30pm
Saturday | 5:00pm
Sunday | 7:00am, 10:00am & 2:00pm
Click the banner above to visit the parish Facebook page where all events can be viewed live or rewatched
If you have not yet signed up for online giving, please click the banner above to financially support our parish. We are in great need of continued support at this time.
If you would like more info or need help signing up, please email Mary at finance@standrewchandler.com