-
November 25, 2022Advent Penance and Pizza Evening
Monday, December 5th
Confessions heard from 5 to 6:15 with Pizza Afterwards in the Gym
Congratulations to Theresa Pottratz, and Ken Douberly. Both of these good people are this year’s recipients of the Gartland Award which Bishop Parkes will bestow this coming Saturday at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Every year nominations for this award are so hard to narrow down because so many of you do such awesome things for your faith community. Thank you!
It is the beginning of a new Church year as we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent. I love new beginnings. I am a dreamer who each Advent hopes against hope that perhaps this year we can revert to a quieter, more reflective season that some of us knew before this time of year got so commercialized. Sometimes the reason for the season gets lost in the midst of the busyness. So, I’d encourage you to embrace a less active social life this Advent in order to pause and remember Jesus. Be intentional about making this happen. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Build on Thursday’s Feast: each day, take five minutes to place yourself in God’s presence and as you review the events of your day, thank the Lord for two specific moments of grace in your day. A kind word, an act of love, a little sacrifice you made, a beautiful sunset, etc.
2. The Eucharist is named for the Greek word for “thanksgiving” because it is the perfect act of giving thanks to God. In addition to Sunday Mass, make a commitment to attend at least one other Eucharist during the week.
3. Go to Confession during our Advent Penance and Pizza Evening on December 5th at 5pm.
-- Fr. Jerry
November 27, 2022
First Sunday of Advent
Is 2:1-5 | Rom 13:11-14 | Mt 24:37-44
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: Don’t get me wrong. I love vacations and weekends away. But the night and day before? It’s always a whirlwind of laundry, packing, and shopping for groceries and essential car snacks. I knew we were going away. I could have gotten my act together earlier. Next trip, I tell myself. Then the cycle repeats itself. Advent can be that way. This year’s going to be the year! No rushing around, no crazy last-minute shopping, no stress: I’m going to study the daily readings, read that Advent devotional, settle into the season of waiting. Today’s readings speak not only to procrastinators like me but also to the planners: Wherever we are on that continuum, Advent gives us an opportunity to ready our souls for Jesus’ coming. It’s less about what we do when than about preparing our hearts. Through prayer, study, and the liturgies of this season, we can ask God to help us clean house within and prepare for Jesus’ coming.
GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT
GO: Today is not only the first Sunday of Advent, but the first day of the liturgical year. Today’s readings encourage us to prepare for Christ’s coming. I love St. Paul’s imagery: “Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us … put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Just as we make resolutions for the new calendar year, Advent affords us an opportunity to start anew. However, the gift of our faith reminds us that we are not alone in this! We can seek the help of the Holy Spirit through prayer and turn to the accountability partners who sit in the pews next to us at Sunday Mass. We, in turn, can be a light to others through our words, attitudes, and actions. As we light our houses and light our Christmas trees this year, we can remember to put on the armor of light ourselves as we begin this holy season.
ACTION: Even with the best of intentions, the holiday season can become busy. As you go about errands or prepare your home, make an effort to listen to Advent hymns or reflections.
