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From the Pastor's Desk: December 20, 2020
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Today the Church celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Advent. We light the last candle on our Advent wreath as Christmas is near. On the last Sunday before Christmas, the Church brings our attention to Mary and the mystery of the birth of the Son of God, Christ her Son, the Prince of Peace. There is an overwhelming lack of peace in the world today...peace in our hearts, peace in our families, peace in our communities, and yes, even peace in our Church. I think for all of us, 2020 has been such a challenging year, many wish it were already over. Some even want to wipe it out of our history books!
And yet, in the final hours of Advent, we may want to pause for a moment amidst these daily challenges that swirl around us and focus our hearts and minds on Jesus. We anticipate His nativity as the Christ Child. We also long to experience Him and the gifts that He brings - the Prince of Peace, the Light of the World, the Word made flesh, the Splendor of the Father, and the Savior of humankind. These are the gifts the Lord brings with Him. How about us? What are we willing to offer Jesus this Christmas?
The difficult situation of the economy this year provides us with an excellent opportunity to purify our expectations. May this Christmas bring our attention not so much on passing joys of material things, but rather longer-lasting joys of spiritual things. Perhaps, we can remind the other person that they are loved, that in God's eyes, and in ours, they matter. So often, we do not have to go far and spend anything but just gently, kindly, and sincerely share that gift with our spouses, parents, siblings, friends and relatives.
As we continue to struggle with COVID-19 challenges, we also will offer an outdoor Mass in the field for many of you who still, for whatever reason, cannot make it to Mass. The gift of this Christmas here in our community is to celebrate the Sacred Liturgy as we welcome Jesus Himself- who will come once again into our souls in a special way- bringing us the priceless gift of His grace.
Also, please make sure that on Christmas we do not come to Christ empty-handed. He is our King and Christmas is His birthday. What gift would please Him most? A new commitment to prayer or service? An openness to grace to overcome a selfish or sinful habit? To reconcile a relationship? Invite and share the faith with someone new? Say “yes” to that thing He has been asking me for so long that I keep saying “no” to? To adjust things in my life to become the best version of myself?
To support the spiritual growth and wellbeing of our parishioners, friends and benefactors, we extend the access to the Formed.org website for another year as our gift to you. May the love of Christ and the fire of His Spirit consume us like a flame of loving service to each other. May these simple gifts represent that together we will truly celebrate something of a “Blessed and Happy Christmas!”
On the occasion of the celebration of Christmas, together with Father Xaviour, Deacon Steve, the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Family, the entire staff and Pastor’s Advisory Team of our parish, I pray and wish all of you- dear parishioners, friends, and visitors alike, that this Christmas may find you longing with Mary and Joseph, for the place where Divine Life is to be born into the world! May you and your families be filled with peace this Christmas with the continuous blessing of the birth of His Divine Love in your hearts and in your homes!
I wish you an abundance of hope, faith, joy and peace this Christmas season!
With prayers,
Fr. Andy
