Dear Friends,
Emmauel! Come Lord Jesus! This weekend, after our grateful hearts celebrated Thanksgiving, we come to a new moment, a new liturgical year for those who are Christian.
May my column begin with this prayer:
God of love,
Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.
He is a sign of your love.
Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,
As we wait and prepare for His coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior.
AMEN.
There has always been a tender spot in my spiritual life for the season of Advent. I have always wished it was not limited to four weeks but at least six, like Lent, because it is such a time for quiet, peaceful reflections and joyful anticipations. At least that is what I long for while being realistic with not only daily responsibilities but unforeseen events.
Our parish Staffs have created a theme to lead us forth towards our Christmas and Epiphany days. It is “Walk with us in hope, peace, joy, love, and Christ”. Hope, peace, joy, and love will enable us in our lives to indeed walk with Christ.
I pray that each of us may choose space in our busy and hectic lives over the coming weeks to make this a blessing and priority.
Throughout Advent, we will have opportunities for prayer. We certainly have our weekend masses, opportunities for reconciliation (Please note we will celebrate Parish Reconciliation together with our young people on Saturday, December 7th at 10 AM at Saint Catherine’s with opportunities with visiting priests for confession), December 7/8 picking up shoes left behind the week before with socks for our sisters, brothers and children in need. We will have mass December 8th at SCS for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. On Monday nights is Advent Prayer, and Sister Barbara Moore’s Advent Series is on Saturdays at Saint Catherine’s. And, of course, we have our beautiful masses to celebrate Christmas Eve and Day. Do check the bulletin, our websites and weekly emails for times and locations.
Much will be before us and may we prayerfully enter the embrace of the season knowing many outside responsibilities and events draw our attention. SO, off we go in this sacred time!
Let me close with a prayer written by Henri J. M. Nouwen:
“Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete journey of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”
AMEN.
Looking forward to being with you over these coming weeks!
Blessings,
Father Rob