First Sunday of Advent

Dear Parishioners,

     Now the sprint to Christmas begins.  Advent has started.  It is always hard to keep a prayerful attitude the month before Christmas.  With the holidays upon us this year, we may look back at last year and remember how hard it was to gather.  Although COVID is still with us, we will have a Christmas that is more like we remember. 

     One of the traditions we have at Sacred Heart is that we have Advent Vespers on Sunday afternoon.  We also try to have some adult education. This year we are going to combine the two activities.  We will divide the vespers prayer in two. At the time of the scripture reading, we will have a teaching on the Christmas Scriptures (infancy narratives).

     Our two deacon candidates (Matthew Martel and Mike Maynard) will present two Sunday afternoons and Sr. Kathleen Mullen and Barb Roedel will take the third afternoon.  Matthew will have about 10-minute talk on the Gospel of Luke.  Mike will speak on the Gospel of Matthew.  Sr. Kathleen and Barb Roedel will reflect on the prologue of the Gospel of John. This will be a chance for our people to get to know Matthew, Mike and a new parishioner, Barb better and to reconnect with Sr. Kathleen.

     The vespers will be December 5, 12, and 19 at 4:00 p.m.  There will be a few questions taken after each presentation so there will be interaction.  We also will livestream each vesper service on Facebook.

     I hope that everyone will try to take part in this Advent activity.  Advent is a season to cultivate the virtues of hope and joy.  Perhaps being together will help us to exercise those virtues.

May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over you today.

Fr. Mark