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Because of the dramatic surge in COVID-19 related cases and deaths in New Mexico recently, the decision has been made to suspend all in-person ministry meetings and religious education gatherings for the remainder of January, 2022. It is expected that they will resume starting February 1, 2022. The Parish Synod meeting that was scheduled for Wednesday, January 26, 2022, will also be postponed and re-scheduled for a later date. Some ministry meetings will take place by videoconference and participants will be notified of such. Classes at Our Lady of Fatima School are expected to resume on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, following a temporary shutdown because of a building maintenance issue that needed to be addressed. Confession and Masses will continue to be held at their regular times.

From the Gospel of Luke 3:22 - “We are called to live our baptism every day, as new creatures, clothed in Christ.”--Pope Francis. What reference point do you use when making decisions? Many times, impulse takes control and decisions are made based solely on emotion and desire. We all know that these types of decisions can often get us into trouble. When a person has a confident sense of who they are and a real understanding of what is important and of value, the likelihood of kneejerk impulsive choices diminishes. Baptism gives us what we need to make well informed and purposeful decisions. By this simple gesture, God claims us as His own and provides us with the identity and purpose we need to properly live life.

From the Gospel of Matthew 2:1-12. In his Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis references a thought from Pope Benedict XVI: “Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.” Today we celebrate an encounter with the Person of Jesus Christ! This simple but holy event in time dramatically changes human life, pointing it toward a new horizon and giving it a decisive direction. This is a message and truth that is not meant to be shared with only a select few who qualify but with the entire world. Pope Francis continues saying, “Thanks solely to this encounter or renewed encounter with God’s love, which blossoms into an enriching friendship, we are liberated from our narrowness and self-absorption. We become fully human when we become more than human, when we let God bring us beyond ourselves in order to attain the fullest truth of our being.”

The Parish Council of Our Lady of Fatima Parish is conducting a parish-wide survey to assess how it can better serve the church community and carry out its mission. Participation is voluntary but strongly encouraged in order to get a representative response. Mail or return your completed survey to Our Lady of Fatima, 4020 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 or drop it in a collection box in church. The survey may also be completed online at www.fatimachurchabq.org. Please return or submit completed surveys by January 31, 2022. ​​​​​​​All responses will be confidential and are not associated with any individual unless you choose to list your contact information. Results will be published at a later date after responses are tabulated.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Take a moment to look around the church some time. You will see families of all sizes, shapes, and descriptions. Some are the biological variety, with a dad and mom and children of different ages. Some may be blended or adopted, foster families or families with only one parent in the home. Sometimes it is grandparents who open their homes to their grandchildren, or siblings who share an apartment and function as a family. Maybe the time has come for an elderly relative to move into your home.

All parishioners are invited to attend the first Synod gathering on January 9, 2022 from 1 PM to 3 PM, in Fatima-Gallagher Hall. Our Lady of Fatima Parish is hosting four meetings, divided into two sessions. Everyone is encouraged to attend both sessions. For more information, please call the parish office at (505) 265-5868.

For parishioners who wish to make an end of year donation to the parish, please do so by this Tuesday, December 28th, 2021. If you made a donation by mail and it is not received by December 30, 2021 it will not be counted towards your taxable donations for 2021. The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, December 27, 2021. Donations can be dropped off at the parish office during regular business hours (8:00am4:30pm) on Tuesday, December 28, 2021.

The Parish Office will be closed on: Monday, December 27, 2021 and Monday, January 3, 2022.

Christmas is nearly here! It may be a very busy time for you, but please take the time to read the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. You will hear about Elizabeth, her husband Zechariah, the angel Gabriel, Mary and Joseph and the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. If you do this, you will likely be better prepared to celebrate with joy the birth of our Savior this Christmas.

Join us for the 2021 Advent Mission, December 13, 14, 15 and 16, 2021. Hosted at and by Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Presented by Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR).

Saturday, January 1, 2022 is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be offered on December 31, 2021 at 5:30 PM, and on Saturday, January 1, 2022 at 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM.

From the Gospel of Luke 3:10-18. “From silly devotions and sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us!" St. Teresa of Avila We’ve all heard the adage, “Laughter is the best medicine.” In many ways, it really is. When was the last time you really laughed? The gift of imagination allows us to see possible things that are yet to be. Imagine a world filled with laughter. We take life too seriously sometimes. Fear, uncertainty, pressure, negativity, disappointment, and myriad other human experiences can rob us of the joy needed for laughter. God never promised us an easy road, and we do have to take the course of our lives seriously. However, there is a balance to be sought and a possible joy that can be brought even to the darkest and most challenging of encounters.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish invites you to join us for a Las Posadas Processional Sunday, December 12 beginning at 5:00 PM in the Church. We will then continue in procession to various doors on the parish campus as Joseph and Mary seek a place to stay. The procession will conclude with a Pinata for the children in front of Fatima-Gallagher Hall and an opportunity for families to get Posole to take to their home.

View the 2021 Christmas and New Year Mass Schedule at Our Lady of Fatima.

From the Gospel of Luke 3:16. St. Ambrose shares some wisdom on our need to prepare the way and open the door for Christ. “You see that when the Word of God knocks hardest on your door, it is when his hair is wet with the dew of the night. In fact, he chooses to visit those who are in tribulation and trial, lest one of them be overwhelmed by distress. So, his head is covered with dew, with drops, when his body is laboring hard. It is important to keep watch so that when the Bridegroom comes, he is not shut out. If you are asleep and your heart is not keeping watch, he will go away without knocking; but if your heart is alert for his coming, he knocks and asks for the door to be opened to him.” When life gets overwhelming and difficult and we find ourselves feeling a bit downhearted and miserable, these words can bring great comfort.

From the Gospel of Luke 21:25-28, 34-36. Staying awake can often be a challenge, especially when we are exhausted. Life’s demands have a way of zapping every last bit of energy out of us. When we are tired it affects us not only physically, but psychologically and spiritually as well. All of our senses are dulled and diminished. We can overlook details, become disinterested, lethargic and apathetic, and detached. Getting sufficient physical rest only helps so much. We need to be rejuvenated, refreshed, and reenergized in other ways. If we are psychologically exhausted, we need to understand what is draining our emotions and taxing our relationships. If we are spiritually tired, we need to find the necessary “shot in the arm” to put us back in touch with God. Unfortunately, exhaustion is seldom limited to just one part of who we are. When we lack energy and zeal it is usually the case that everything suffers. We not only are affected physically, but psychologically and spiritually as well. In short, when we run out of gas the engine stops.

Thanksgiving Day Mass will be held at 9:00 AM on Thursday, November 25th, 2021. The Parish Office and School will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and the Friday following Thanksgiving Day.

Wednesday, December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be offered on Wednesday, December 8 at 6:30 AM, 8:15 AM, & 5:30 PM.

From the Gospel of John 18:33b-37 We often come to life expecting all of the pieces of the puzzle to nicely fit together. We want and expect harmony, order, and fairness, the achievement of rewards for good behavior, good health, and happiness. We can more easily accept death when it comes naturally after a good long life, but have a real difficulty comprehending the meaning of it all when it is cut short. Willing to put in a good measure of effort, we desire positive results. When things go wrong and life gets hurtful, unjust, and downright ugly, we become unsettled and can quickly fall into despair. This is especially true if we are people of faith who believe in a God who sees things on our terms and works in favor of our life agenda. What happens to our faith when we find ourselves sitting in a mess?

The Beneficiary of Our Lady of Fatima’s Giving Tree this year is Birthright. Please help this ministry with diapers and baby clothes sizes 0 to 6 months. ​​​​​​​Gifts can be placed under the tree at the main entrance of the church.