Fourth Sunday of Advent

Dear Parishioners,

     Advent and Christmas just kind of run together this year.  We will be having six Masses this Sunday.  I would remind you that everyone should attend Mass twice.  We have our Sunday obligation and we also have the obligation for Christmas.

     I would like to thank all our Liturgical Ministers who are sacrificing time with their families to make sure that our liturgies are dignified and beautiful.  I would especially like to thank the musicians who practiced so hard for the Christmas liturgies.  Our art and environment committee also had a big challenge as they had to decorate after the Sunday morning Masses to prepare for the evening liturgies of Christmas.  This was a huge undertaking, but I am sure you will agree that they did a great job. 

     We remember today that Christ came into the world on a mission.  The Advent of Jesus in time was a turning point in the history of the universe.  Why didn’t he come sooner?  Why did he not come later?  For some reason God thought the world was ready to receive his Son on that day 2,017 years ago.  He’s transformed our human existence.  We became Sons and Daughters of God.

     I hope we all appreciate the special status that is ours because of the Mystery of the Incarnation.  Jesus is God’s gift to the world, a sign of his love.  May we rejoice in the gift and may that gift change the way we look at one another.  For we are images of Christ.  When we look at each other may we see the face of God.

Merry Christmas,

Fr. Mark