Dear God, for some of us this year, there is an empty chair near the tree, an ache in our hearts, and tears on our faces. We may try to shield one another from the grief we bear, but we cannot hide it from you. We pray for all those who have gone before us, especially those who have died this year, whose presence we miss so much in these days of peace and joy. Open our hearts and minds to the healing, the warmth, and the light of your presence.
We pray, Lord, and we trust that those we miss have found the place you prepared for them, their home within your heart. Open our hearts, Lord, to joyful memories of love shared with those who have gone before us. Help us tell the stories that make the past present and bring us close again to those we miss. Teach us to lean on you, Lord, and on each other, for the strength we need to walk through these difficult days. Be with us as we cry and sing our way through Christmas cards and carols; help us find and open the present you bring: the gift of your peace in the birth of the child we call Christ. And give us quiet moments with you, with our thoughts, and with our memories and prayers.
Be with us, Lord, and hold us in your arms even as you hold those who have gone before us. Help us to trust that one day we shall be with those we love when your mercy gathers us together in the joy of the life you promise us. This is the Christmas you have made, Lord, the only one we’ll have this year: help us to rejoice in it and in the blessings of your peace. In your Holy Name we pray. Amen.
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2020 Holy Cross Christmas Flower Offering
In Memory~
Betty & John Gega · File Gega · Alice & Richard Ripley · Dorothy & Albert Streit · Doris & Leo Moran · Claire Safranski · Molly Honl · Celso Becerra · Reyna Lopez · Maxima Espindola · Rita Auer · Souls in Purgatory · Henry Marine Family · Verbout Family · DeJoseph Family · Edo, Ron, & Mark Faoro · Chris & Matthew Craeton · Marie & Paul Carlson · Maria Anguino Valdez · Florence VanCamp · Chuck Wiggins · Ray Thomas · Frank Leonetti · Bob Alderson · Terri & Tim Kern · Victor Lopez · Mic Howe · Fran Bachmeier · Phillip Walden · Amalia Vazquez Cortes · Aurelio Hernandez Herrera · Las Almas del Purgatorio · Angelina Stoneman · Morrie Olson · Harry Martin · Art Harris · Anna & John G. Kovach · Mary Kovach Baker · Sandra Baker · Lund Family · Metz Family · Jo & Tony Kaiel · Nita & Hank Willis · Gardner Family · Harold Crites
In Honor~
Betty & Ron Carlson · Morgan Brown · Alan Hickerson · Jim Mehrens · Jessie Nowak · Chris Nowak · Anita Verbout · Paula Wenzl · Cielo Espidio Barroso · Kathrine Leonetti · Luise Ritter · Judy Barr · People of the Parish
Thank you for providing flowers for the church during the Christmas season in memory of loved ones and in honor of friends and family.
