Happy New Year!!!  As we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent, we begin a new liturgical Year.  Advent is about hope, and the joyful expectation of the coming of Christ in our lives.  We should take this four-week opportunity to rediscover all that Jesus brings to our lives.  Use this time to re-align yourself spiritually, through prayer and service to others.  If you have not received the special graces of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist for a while, now is the time to do so.
 
Do not let Advent fall into the background of the secular Christmas rush, instead use this time to re-orient your life to Jesus.  You know as well as I do, that any more Advent is something that you only hear about in Church and that so many people today are really clueless that the Incarnation, the Mystery of the Creator becoming creature, is the real reason for the Season.  You know as well as I do, that to some extent all of us loss focus in the midst of what has become a crazy holiday season.  So, as good Catholic people I’d ask you to focus on just two words that I pray will help you deepen the Mystery of the Incarnation throughout the Advent and Christmas Seasons.  Those two words are Reconciliation and Eucharist.
 
Eucharist and Reconciliation can help us all with new beginnings; these two sacraments can help us focus on what is truly important because they lead us ever deeper into the wonderful presence of Jesus in our lives.  Advent should be a joyful season of anticipation.
One important aspect of Advent is to recognize that God’s mercy is a reason for joy and that we cannot rejoice in God’s love if we are living in a way that keeps us distant from God. Repentance leads to forgiveness which leads to transformation and joy.  I think I am a fairly compassionate confessor.  So, give me a try.  If you don’t come out of the Confession with a spiritual high, than I really haven’t done my job.  There will be two extra opportunities to celebrate the Sacrament on Monday evenings, December 11 ^th and 18 ^th beginning at 5:30.
 
So, if you do nothing else of a spiritual nature in the next few weeks celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist well.   We had a little down turn in daily Mass attendance last week that concerned me.  My hope is that this week we’ll see an Advent “bump” in daily Mass attendance.  It would be wonderful if many of you could get to a daily Mass during the week or at least stop by the Church sometime during the day to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.
 
And be aware that Friday, December 8th, is a Holy Day of Obligation.  It is the Feast Day of our National Patron, Mary Immaculate.  It is always a Holy Day because America is under the protection of Mary.  And yes it is still a serious sin to skip Mass on a Holy Day or Sunday without a grave reason (e.g. bed ridden by illness).  Masses will be at 6pm on Thursday and on Friday morning at 8am.
 
Finally as the gospel today remind us, Advent challenges us to be alert to the ways we turn our minds and hearts away from God and others.  Take this time to clear out any earthly distractions. Unplug! Simplify!  Unleash those spiritual gifts! Share them and thus bring Jesus more fully into our lives and our world. Only then will there be space for God’s grace to enter. Only then will we be ready for a spiritual awakening like never before.   If you really want to take advantage of the Advent Season as a time of Spiritual renewal, in addition to going to Confession and attending a weekday Mass, I’d encourage you to sign up for an on-line program called the Best Advent Ever.

WHAT IS BEST ADVENT EVER? 
It’s a free email program that will help you slow down and focus on what matters most during this busy season. You’ll experience Advent in a way you’ve never experienced it before—leading to the best Christmas of your life!
 
HOW DOES IT WORK?
1. You are encouraged to sign up at BestAdventEver.com/Parish.
2. Starting December 3, the first Sunday of Advent, participants receive daily emails with short inspirational videos, practical tips to incorporate into their everyday lives, and personal stories from Dynamic Catholic team members.
3. Throughout Advent, participants will discover how to slow down and find joy in preparing for Christmas . . . leading to their best Advent ever and the best Christmas of their lives!
 
On the Way Home: In the gospel the gatekeeper was told to be watchful for his Master’s return.  As vigilant gatekeepers watching for the Lord of the house, what signs do you see that tell you God is present in the world and in your life?

Fr. Jerry Ragan