Dear Friends in Christ:
The First Sunday of Advent is the beginning of a new liturgical year and new cycle of Readings in Sunday Mass. From now until this time next year we will be hearing and reading primarily from the Gospel of St. Luke. There will be times during the seasons of Christmas and Easter when we will also hear from the Gospel of St. John.
The word “advent” means “coming”. During Advent there are themes for each week: Watch – Prepare – Rejoice – Behold! During the weekdays of Advent there are two series of Readings. The first, from the beginning of Advent through December 16, is predominantly from the book of the Prophet Isaiah and is primarily concerned with the Parousia, the Second Coming of the Messiah at the end of time. From December 17-24 the Church focuses on the immediate preparation, recalling the events of the First Coming of Jesus. The weekday Readings start with the genealogy in Matthew and end with the Canticle of Zechariah. The Sunday and weekday Mass Readings during Advent are like a retreat and a bible study!
To help us spiritually prepare for Christmas we will have additional Mass and Confession times during Advent. Monday through Friday we will offer three daily Masses. The weekday Masses will be at 9:00 a.m., 12:10pm and 7:00 p.m. Confessions will be heard 20 minutes before each weekday Mass. I ask that during Advent we pray, in addition to our personal intentions, for an abundant increase in the number of priestly vocations in our archdiocese. Please ask God, if it is His will, that He double the number of seminarians entering the seminary for our archdiocese. Pray especially for the young men from our parish whom God is calling that they will respond without hesitation. Pray too for all our seminarians and novices in formation. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord, may we also invoke the intercession of our Blessed Mother and pray for all expectant mothers and their unborn children. Pray for the safe delivery of their babies and pray that all husbands and wives be open to the gift of children in their marriage.
The weeks preceding Christmas are not just parties, shopping, and decorating. This is a holy season of spiritual preparation. Prepare your hearts and your families to receive our Lord. The best way to have a wonderful Christmas is to have a holy Advent. Slow down and pray more during this special, yet hectic time. I encourage and invite you to come to daily Mass during Advent and to go to Confession in preparation for Christmas. Come and pray the Liturgy of the Hours. Morning Prayer is at 6:30 a.m. and Evening Prayer is at 6:30 p.m. in the Adoration Chapel. Take a break and bring the kids to visit the Blessed Sacrament. We have Eucharistic Adoration 24/7. Have an Advent wreath in your home. Each day during Advent read the prophecies in the Old Testament that foretold the coming of the Messiah. Prepare the way of the Lord to come to you!
Advent and Christmas are a perfect time to invite others to renew their faith in God and their relationship with Jesus. In our multicultural megapolis there are many who do not know Christ. Introduce your non-Christian friends to Jesus. Share the story of his birth. Tell them about the life of Christ and how he lived and died to give them eternal life. Tell them and show them the love Jesus has for them! Lastly, remember to pray for those away from the church and God and those seeking and searching for meaning, peace, and belonging. Invite them to come to Mass with you and your family at Christmas and throughout the year. God has a special gift for them and his name is Jesus!