4th Week of Advent

12-19-2021Letter from the PastorFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Peace and Joy in Our Lord Jesus!

It has been a good advent, albeit a quick one from my perspective. I think that means I am getting old. If you are traveling this week, have a safe journey and a Merry Christmas! If you are in town for Christmas, I look forward to seeing you TWICE this coming weekend and extending Christmas greetings to you in person!

I do have a late “Advent to do list” for you to consider this week that coincides with virtues and goodness that are connected to the peacefulness of Christmas.

Be repentant! That is the Advent call spoken by John the Baptist. We are offering Saturday confession times from 3:00pm until 5:00pm. Also, every morning before the 8:30am Mass, there will be two confessors available for the next two weeks. We are blessed to have no less than four priests serving our parish! Call one of them for an appointment if necessary. Confession is a great way to help us get right with God before a weekend of solemnities including Christmas and the Feast of Holy Family.

Be prayerful! It would be great if parishioners could commit to extra prayer this week. On occasion, I stop and look at our Nativity Scene and simply recall the birth of Jesus and the gift of Emmanuel – God with us. It is a beautiful display and can inspire us. There are so many beautiful lessons there. You may also pray in front of your own Nativity Scene!

Be obedient! I like praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary throughout Advent. I invite you to pray the 4th joyful Mystery for parents as it recalls the faith of Joseph and Mary who brought the Christ child to the temple for the Presentation of the Lord. It reminds me of the 4th Commandment that calls children to honor their parents and for parents to act honorably. It might be good to review the goal of this mystery and commandment ahead of time!

Be humble! During these days when you may be blessed to be able celebrate our faith with family, it is our tendency to want to be right or to say things that perhaps bring up old wounds or even create new ones. Hold your tongue. It’s far more prudent to pray when you are frustrated or feeling judgmental. Fraternal correction is important but more effective with the words of correction are spoken in love and not anger.

Be prudent! This is my yearly appeal to families that have more flexible schedules to be more flexible! Perhaps to celebrate Christmas, you could hand over a seat for an elderly person who may be standing at one of our crowded Masses. Or maybe if you do not have little children you could come to a later Mass so that the first Mass of Christmas is not so congested.

Be loving! During this season when we meditate on the great love God has for each of us by sending His Son, perhaps we can look for ways to outdo others in love. Good deeds and going the extra mile for others in your family during this season is a great way to chart a course for a Happier New Year!

The Mass schedule for December 24/25 is as follows: The Masses for Christmas will be Christmas Eve Friday, December 24 at 5:00pm and then a 12:00am Midnight Mass. Later that same day, Saturday, December 25 we will celebrate Mass for Christmas Day at 8:00am and 10:00am. An overflow Mass will be available live-stream in the St. Bernadette Hall at these same times as needed. There will NOT be a Vigil Mass at 5:00pm on Saturday, December 25. Then on Sunday, December 26 Masses are at 8:00am, 10:00am and 5:00pm. I look forward to seeing you both days!