Welcome Advent: There is a beautiful, spiritual sweetness to the Advent season, but we should also take care not to overlook the vital “soul work” that these four weeks call us to undertake. Certainly, we are preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ in time, but more profoundly still, we seek to allow the God-man to become incarnate in our very own lives. That work must be done today and every day. Advent is a privileged time to do so, for sure. As I mentioned last week, we, as a parish, are not planning any major events this Advent. We are seeking instead to be still, silent, and open to God’s presence. The scriptures for this season are incredibly profound: Are you able to attend Mass daily so as to hear them in their fullness?...
The One Thing Necessary: Our Lord Jesus Christ is the King of the Universe, and please God, the king of our hearts. He is the one necessary thing. If I possess power and prestige and numerous riches . . . but I do not hold Jesus as sovereign in my heart . . . then I am lost and pitiable. I possess nothing. As we end the liturgical year and prepare to begin anew in Advent, the Church’s readings and prayers turn our attention to the last things: death and heaven or hell. Are you and I ready to stand before the King at the moment of our particular judgment? If Jesus Christ is indeed the one necessary thing in our lives, we have no reason to fear that moment.
Welcome Fr. McElrath & Fr. Renne: With me being in Indianapolis this weekend at the National Catholic Youth Conference, it is a pleasure to welcome Fr. Ian McElrath to our parish for the Saturday Mass, and Fr. David Renne for the Sunday Masses. Fr. McElrath – Fr. “Mac” as he is affectionately known – was my student at Kennedy Catholic High School. Fr. Mac is the chaplain at Mercyhurst Prep, the Chaplain at Mercyhurst University, and he also oversees the Traditional Latin Mass apostolate. Fr. David, a Punxsutawney native, is a theology professor at Gannon University and he is also the Vice-Rector of St. Mark Seminary in Erie, where he works with our native son, Fr. Scott Jabo. It is a privilege to welcome both of them here this weekend...
A Focus on Pastoral Planning: This weekend, throughout the Diocese of Erie, prayers are being lifted heavenward for the Pastoral Planning process that has been taking place throughout the 13 counties of our diocese. Although we will hear the regular Sunday scriptures at Mass, the prayers and petitions will be seeking God’s guidance as changes are made in parishes throughout our area. To emphasize this need for divine guidance, we’ve placed the bishop’s Pastoral Planning prayer on the front cover of the bulletin. I keep a copy of this prayer in my breviary. The bishop is asking that we all pray it on a regular basis...
Very intentionally, we have been sharing stories as part of our parish gatherings. Whether it be a Parish Leadership Team meeting, a Pastoral Council or Finance Council meeting, a parish staff team meeting, or what have you, we have been making it a practice to share the “glory stories” that abound within our parish and our larger Christian community. It is so tempting for us to focus on the negative and get caught up in the ugliness. Yet when we hear anecdotes of love and service, our hearts are lifted and refreshed...