Dear Parishioners,

On this 4th Sunday of Advent, the 21st of December, the celebration of Christmas is very close! In these final days of Advent, we have what is called the “O” antiphons. This comes from the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” This hymn originated in either the 8th or the 9th century and was made popular in hymnals printed in the 1700’s. It is a very prayerful song, looking and longing for Jesus. This hymn not only roots us in the past but also helps us to look forward to what is to come. Today’s verse O Oriens (O Radiant Dawn), is a prayer asking Christ to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. This verse is very relevant on this December 21st for it is also the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. We are reminded by this verse that we no longer have to dwell in darkness for Christ is the true light.

We light the final candle on the Advent Wreath this Sunday to remind us that we don’t have many days left before we celebrate Christmas. Even though it seems like these four weeks of Advent have flown by very quickly, our time of spiritual preparation also reminds us how we need to always have our hearts ready to encounter Christ each day throughout our life. We never know exactly when we are going to actually meet Jesus face to face. Yet this upcoming celebration of Christmas shows us how we can keep preparing ourselves every day so that one day we will be able to gaze upon the face of God similarly to how we do each Christmas when we gaze upon Jesus in the Manger.   

I hope that you and your family can join us at St. Catherine for our celebration of Christmas. We will have three Masses on Christmas Eve: 4 PM (with our children’s choir), 6:30 PM (with the Sienas) and 9 PM (with the adult choir). On Christmas Day, Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM. Overflow seating will be available in Marian Hall.

On behalf of Fr. Joseph and myself, Deacon Brian, Deacon Doran, Deacon Ron and all of our St. Catherine Staff, we wish you a Holy and Blessed celebration of Christmas. 

Please note that our Church offices will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the 26th of December to give our staff time to be with their families. 

Thanks for reading!

Fr. Mark