HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome to the beautiful season of Advent that begins a new Liturgical Year! During this very busy time of the year, Advent allows us to quiet our hearts and prepare spiritually for the Christmas Season. “Advent has a two-fold character: as a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s first coming to us is remembered, and as a season when that remembrance directs our mind and heart to await Christ’s second coming at the end of time. Advent thus is a period of devout and joyful expectation.” (from the Ordo)

Since Advent is a season of joyful expectation, we will offer the Blessing For Expecting Parents at our Masses next weekend. 

One of the traditional Catholic ways of preparing for Christmas is to go to confession. Once again we will offer our Advent Reconciliation Weekend which will take place at St. Francis of Assisi church Friday, December 17, 6 – 8pm and Saturday, December 18, 9am – 3pm. The priests of our parish, as well as SFA and QAS, will be hearing confessions that weekend. Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a beautiful way to prepare for Christmas.

I wanted to add an encouraging word about Year End Giving. Realizing you receive many requests for donations, each year your generous response to our Year End Appeal has allowed us to meet our budget. Year end giving could also benefit your tax situation.

First of all, SPECIAL THANKS to those of you who have supported our parish this past year, specifically through Sunday Offerings and our Gold Envelope Ensuring the Future Fund, and especially all those who switched to E-giving through Faith Direct. For those who haven’t been able to do weekly donations, maybe a year end gift could be a possibility and an expression of gratitude to God for all His gifts and blessings you have received.

Have you ever practiced “waiting?” I know I’m not too good at it. Advent is a time to practice this virtue. We are willing to wait for things we consider very important. Tickets to the World Series! Parents wait 9 months for their child. Jesus had promised to return, commonly called the Second Coming. When he didn’t, many of the first Christians struggled to believe in His promise. So…the prayer of Advent: “Wait for the Lord with courage. Be stouthearted and wait for the Lord!”

Happy Advent!