Dear Parishioners,

We have arrived at the third Sunday of Advent. Of course, one recognizes this Sunday due to the special rose-colored vestments often worn by the priests and the deacons. This means that we have officially arrived at Gaudete Sunday!

For those of you who are eagerly awaiting Christmas, it means that there are only 10 more days until we reach Christmas Eve and 11 more days until Christmas Day. Yes, time is slipping away. When we get to this point, I find that there are only two reactions: Panic or Excitement! Panic is the emotion we feel because the days of Advent have gotten away from us. We intended to do so many more things, especially to nourish our spiritual life. But all of a sudden, the calendar sends us a sobering reminder. Excitement is the emotion that we feel because we want Christmas and Christ to be in our lives. Which emotion are you feeling this year?

Sometimes our fast-paced world (and it seems like the time goes by even quicker in December) goes right by us. But one of the joys that we can find in Advent is that we can slow down the fast-paced world around us. History and Scripture show us that God’s plan for humanity took time. It caused many generations to be patient and wait and to grow in faith. In life, we can discover that the fastest and quickest way to do something isn’t always the best way to take. Instead we may discover that the slow and the steady can help us to appreciate the world around us much better. This same principle can be applied to our faith. Our faith is meant to grow and become stronger over time. We have to nourish it and give it plenty of time. This will help us to have a more lasting and satisfying life of faith. The shorter (and sometimes shortcut way) to a life of faith isn’t always going to provide us with a faith that will stand the test of time.

If you haven’t had a chance yet, please review our Mass schedule for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. We hope you can join us for these great celebrations of our faith and another opportunity to strengthen our love for the Son of God.

Yes, it is time for us to rejoice, for the Lord is near. Make the most of these remaining days of Advent. For we wait for the greatest gift of Christmas: The gift of a Savior, one who will change our world.

Thanks for reading! 

Fr. Mark