1st sunday of advent

Posted on by Cassie

Today we begin a new year in our Church.  Each Church year begins with the Season of Advent.  During Advent we prepare for the coming of Jesus our Savior on Christmas Day.  Advent allows us time to prepare ourselves for the continual birth of Christ in our heart, mind and soul.  If you want to be prepared spiritually for the coming of Jesus on Christmas, you need to enter into this season eager to strengthen your spirit for your encounter with Jesus.

To help in your spiritual preparation we will have our Parish Penance Service on Thursday December 12, 2024 at 7pm.  Please reserve this date to take part in our penance service.  The Sacrament of Penance lifts a burden from our hearts and fills us with the grace of peace.

During Advent Season make an effort to attend daily Mass (6:30am and 9am weekdays), read Sacred Scripture or other spiritual readings, come to Eucharistic Adoration and receive the Eucharist frequently.  Continue your effort of personal spiritual renewal.  Pray, study and be generous. Prepare yourself and your family spiritually for this Christmas.

God Bless,

Msgr. Powell

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

NOT A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION

Since December 8th falls on a Sunday this year, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 9th.  It is not a Holy Day of Obligation.  You are encouraged to come to Mass, but it is not an obligation.  We will have Mass at 6:30am and 9am on Monday December 9th.

 

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Posted on by Cassie

It is our Church’s custom to focus on Christ the King as we celebrate the last Sunday of our Church year.  Next week we begin a new Church year with the Season of Advent.

In our first reading from the prophet Daniel, our Lord is envisioned as the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven to receive dominion, glory and Kingship.  In the gospel from John, Jesus stands trial and is questioned about His Kingship by Pilate.

As John’s Passion unfolds, the theme of Christ’s Kingship emerges as the central point.  It is the focal point of Pilate’s questions, the cause of our Lord’s mock coronation by the soldiers, and the substance of the inscription placed on the cross— Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.

John uses irony to great effect.  Although Jesus is brought to trial before Pilate, it is really Pilate who is being judged.  Moreover, although Pilate hands Him over to be lifted up on the cross in ignominy he sets the stage for Jesus to be lifted up in glory.

In other words, His Kingdom does not depend on military might, economic strength, or political power.  It is a spiritual Kingdom that depends on faith, prayer and good works.  It is not a kingdom that seeks to increase its wealth, expand its borders or inflate its image.  It is a kingdom that promotes peace where there is violence, justice where there is exploitation,  and freedom where there is oppression.

Will we miss our chance as Pilate did and not take Christ’s kingship seriously?  Or will we acknowledge Him as family and join in His cause to protect human rights, relieve poverty, and care for the unwanted?

God Bless,

Msgr. Powell

33rd sunday in ordinary time

Posted on by Cassie

The focus of Jesus in today’s gospel is on the final events of the world and His future coming.  The images of the sun, moon, and stars symbolize the distress of the world when the forces of evil are at work.   The image of the victorious Son of Man refers to the future coming of Jesus.  He will bring the final victory after the period of calamity and chaos.  Jesus assured His followers He would soon experience suffering followed by resurrection, they would also experience suffering as they underwent the period of trial that would precede the victory of goodness.  These apocalyptic images are meant to reassure God’s people in time of trial and persecution of God’s eventual victory.

Jesus teaches us that suffering is part of the Christian life.  But it is a suffering that is only temporary; it leads to a share in Christ’s glory.  If we are faithful to Christ through periods of trial, we will share in the victory He will bring about.

Jesus also teaches us that there is no way to predict when the end of the world will happen.  War, destruction and persecution are preliminary  signs of the end, but they do not mark the time of  the end itself.  Therefore the attitude that all Christians must have is vigilance, alertness, and watchfulness.  We should live as if Christ might return at any moment and ask us to account for what we have done with our lives.

God Bless,

Msgr. Powell