Advent
calls us as Christians to ponder again the mystery of our salvation, our hope
that there is an answer to the riddle of earthy life with its passing joys,
disappointments, sorrows, and frustrations, and its apparently dark end in the
oblivion of death. Does life go anywhere? Does it have any meaning? Advent
calls every one of us to stop in the struggle of life and to look up, to recall
the answer to the questions of life. We are on a journey to our Father's house.
The door has been opened to us by the Son of God, and the way marked out.
Advent invites us to look back over the long centuries, during which the human
race struggled on in shadows. Of course, there was always some light. It began
with the promise of a Redeemer who would crush the head of the destroying
Serpent, the Son of a woman at bitter enmity with evil. The experience of human
beings during those thousands of years of waiting is not so different from the
lives of those around us who live without the consolation of faith and hope.
They can accomplish much, but to what purpose? They can struggle to live as
well and as long as possible, but then they will sorrow as those who have no
hope.
The
Christian should look at and listen to this darkness and confusion. Human
existence for the believer is always an advent, a waiting, a journey toward a
destination, toward the light. Begin Advent by recalling the long darkness
endured by the human race. Many are still in it. As believers, we have the
faith to know that God came to us through no merit of our own, and that He
comes to us still by His grace. He calls to us by His birth, His life, His
terrible death, and His glorious Resurrection. Advent reminds us that He will
come again. So many mysteries, so many questions, and so many answers. For the
one with faith, Advent should be a time of mystery, discovery, new insights,
blessings, many graces and a deeper joy as we celebrate this great
season.
Let
us pray: O Lord, speak to my heart during this season of grace, as you spoke to
your prophets and saints. Remind me again of the journey you call me to make
and the work you would have me do. I am your servant, O Lord. Speak to me in
this holy season and turn my eyes to watch for your coming.
O
Emmanuel, Jesus Christ,
Desire of
every nation, Savior of all peoples, come and dwell among us.
DATES
TO REMEMBER
December 14th - Archdiocesan Day of Confessions
- 10:30 – 12noon, 2pm – 4pm, 7pm Reconciliation Service followed by individual Confession
December 17th – Christmas Concert in the Church
– 7:30 pm – Christmas carols/songs, audience sing-a-long. English, Polish, Italian and Filipino
Christmas Carols and refreshments afterward downstairs. Tickets after Mass and
from the office
ADULTS - $20.00, CHILDREN
- $10.00. Come out and enjoy some Christmas music with fellow parishioners,
family and friends.
December 18th
– Decorating Sunday –after 11:30 Mass -
Please come and help me decorate the church for Christmas.
I
hope you enjoy this beautiful time in the church year.
Fr. Phil 