Be Alert!
Advent's first Sunday
Announcements for November 28, 2020:
With beautiful weather forecast, I expect our 11:00am Sunday Mass to be outside, in front of the church, this weekend. I will send a text if anything changes - let me know if you want to receive these notifications from us.
Find all of our announcements (and more) now in one place: our Parishioner Portal. (Scroll to the bottom of any page on our website to find the link.)
Please be in touch with me if you need anything at all, or if you'd like to share any questions or concerns.
Dear Saints,
Happy New (liturgical) Year! Can you believe that Advent is already here?
Advent is a season of preparation. By reflecting on the several advents - the several comings - of Christ these next few weeks, the Church encourages us to renew our lives by re-upping our allegiance to Jesus, the Newborn King whose glorious return we eagerly await.
Our season begins by focusing on Jesus' second coming, leaving the last week or so before Christmas (December 17, to be exact, and accompanied by the O Antiphons) as a run up to his birth in Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago.
In this weekend's Gospel reading, Jesus exhorts his disciples to "Be watchful! Be alert!" to not be caught off guard by the end of the world as they know it and to be prepared for the coming of God's Kingdom.
This vigilance is important in every season of Christian life. All too often we are consumed with worldly plans and pleasures that, in the end, come to nothing. This leaves us with little energy, time, and attention to invest in God and his purposes, which eternally endure.
Advent gives us an opportunity to reverse this trend.
As in every season of preparation, a fruitful Advent requires the practice of penance. If we want to re-up our allegiance to Jesus - if we want to cultivate a deeper love of God, self, and neighbor - then we have to recommit ourselves to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
With everyone around us celebrating xmas these next few weeks, this will be a big challenge. But we can take it on together! What one thing will you take on (or give up) in each category? Let me know if you'd like to share.
As we make our way through Advent, we'll know we're on the right track when we grow in our longing for Jesus; when we yearn for his return; and when we make the ancient Advent prayer (Marana tha - Lord, come!) our own.
Please know of my love and prayer for you and yours. I look forward to sharing this sacred season with you.
Christ's Peace,
Father Daniel
δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ
PS Our Marian Antiphon for the Advent season is the Alma Redemptoris Mater. Check it out here.
Preparing for Mass?
Check out this weekend's readings:
First Sunday of Advent
