The One who is coming after me: This weekend we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, a day of joy and hope. For the second Sunday in a row we hear from St. John the Baptist—this time from the Gospel of John. The people ask him, “Who are you?” John tells them that he is the precursor of the Lord who is coming. Pope Francis offered this advice, that we should prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus like we joyfully prepare our homes for a visit from a family member or friend. “When we await at home a visit from a loved one, we prepare everything with care and happiness. In the same way we want to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord: to wait for him every day with solicitude, to be filled with his grace when he comes,” our Holy Father said.
Blessing: This Monday night, Dec. 18, we are having our annual “Bless the Baby Jesus/Posada” in the parish hall from 6 – 8 pm. You are invited to bring the baby Jesus from your nativity set to be blessed.
Catholic for a Reason: Not sure if you have had the opportunity to view our webpage, but we posted a couple of short videos of parishioners telling their stories of why they are Catholic. I enjoyed both of them and I hope you will too. There will be more videos with parishioners sharing their story in months to come.
Priorities: Recently I met someone who knows some of our parishioners and happens to vacation at the same place in Florida with them. They commented that they couldn’t believe our parishioners even went to Mass on Sundays while they were on vacation! I am very proud of them for their faithfulness to the Lord in making Mass a priority no matter where they are. Really though, they are only doing what we are all called to do and that is to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
Added Blessing: Speaking of attending Mass, next weekend is both the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve. Our 4th Sunday of Advent Masses will be at 5 pm on Saturday (Dec. 23) and 8 am, 10 am and Noon on Sunday (Dec. 24). Our Christmas Eve Masses will be at 4 pm, 6 pm and midnight (Dec. 24) and then on Christmas Day at 8 am, 10 am and Noon. People have asked, “if I come on Christmas Eve does that count for Sunday Mass?” Basically you are obligated to attend Mass for the Sunday and for Christmas. Attending Mass only on Christmas Eve doesn’t meet that obligation. So, we get the blessing of seeing you twice next weekend!
Obligation: Fr. Dan and I were talking about Sunday and Holy Day Masses and the word ‘obligation.’ Obviously for many this feels like a “burden” and another “church law.” Hopefully we don’t see attending Mass as an obligation, but rather as an opportunity to worship the Lord and receive His love and mercy. It’s really about who we are to the very depths of our being and not so much about what we do. As one author put it, “we leave Mass knowing that we have, together, celebrated the ‘fact’ of our ‘creatureliness’ and dependence on a loving and merciful creator.” The Mass is God’s work and how He accomplishes our salvation.
Q & A: We often get questions on why we do what we do regarding the Mass. I’ve asked Fr. Dan if he would write an occasional column responding to these questions. He will begin this column in the New Year.
Break: It’s been a good school year thus far. Our students (and faculty) will enjoy the Christmas break beginning Dec. 21. They return on Jan. 3.
Christmas Wish List: Inserted in our bulletin is our Holy Family Christmas wish list. Christmas is about wishing and giving. While it is true that we are incredibly blessed at Holy Family with generous benefactors, there is always more work to be done in God’s vineyard. Please pray over the attached wish list and discern if God is asking you to do something more for his kingdom. Thank you!
Be assured of my love and prayers and rejoice in the Lord always!
Msgr. Jerry
Saint quote of the week:
“He (Jesus) must increase and I decrease.” – Saint John the Baptist