December 17, 2023, Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
To My Spiritual Family of Holy Redeemer and St. Anthony,
Advent Joy: Because we live in a world that so often lacks joy, we too can be burdened by discouragement and even hopelessness. Christian joy, though, is not dependent on the world around us. Christian joy flows from the very person of Jesus Christ! In his “inaugural address” at the synagogue in Jerusalem, our Lord announced that he had come to “preach good news to the poor . . . proclaim release to captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19).” Whether we suffer or not, whether we experience success or failure, whether we know prosperity or deprivation, Christ remains always and in every circumstance an unchanging source of joy. You and I are the poor and oppressed that he came to set free. As we celebrate this Gaudete Sunday, may each of us indeed rejoice!
More God is Better: I’m pretty sure that Deacon Ray is just going to take up a cot in the sacristy next weekend, because there is a lot of “church” happening! Given the fall of the calendar this year, and with Christmas being celebrated on a Monday, the Church asks that we attend Mass both for the 4th Sunday of Advent (December 24) and for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (December 25). Please take this obligation seriously. More time spent at Mass is never a bad thing. I encourage you to plan now for next weekend. There are plenty of Masses scheduled in Warren, Sheffield, and Youngsville from which you may choose. Some of you may wish to attend Mass Sunday morning and then return to church again on Sunday evening for a Christmas vigil. No problem! St. Joseph is offering the early “Children’s Mass” on the eve of Christmas. Our parish Masses on the eve of Christmas will be marked by traditional music and a solemn celebration of the Christ Child’s birth. Georgi Rice will sing “O Holy Night” at the 5:00 pm Mass on December 24 at St. Anthony. Rachel Harvey and our Christmas choir will be providing the beautiful hymnody at the Holy Redeemer 9:00 pm Mass (including some 4-part harmony). I very much look forward to seeing you twice next weekend. Thank you for taking this obligation seriously!
Preparation of our Hearts: Remember to be still in these remaining days of Advent. Allow the Lord to speak to you in the silence. Read the beautiful words from the daily Mass readings. Allow them to soak into your heart. Please, also, if you have not already done so, go to confession. Make room for the radiant light of Christmas by permitting the mercy of God to cleanse you of your sins. Fr. Rick has been adding some extra confession times, and beyond my regular hours, I am adding an extra hour on Saturday, December 23. I plan to be in the confessional from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm that morning. Do not be afraid! Choose joy over fear, light over darkness, and forgiveness over sin. Parents, get your young ones to confession and be an example to them by going yourself. Teenagers, humbly give your sins to God and receive his mercy. You all know that I go to confession often throughout the year. I need that forgiveness! Let us all rejoice in God’s compassion!
Pray well this week. I’ll see you twice next weekend.
Mary, Mother of the Redeemer – Pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pray for us! St. Anthony – Pray for us! St. Joseph – Pray for us!