Dear Parishioners,

I pray that this Christmas season is filled with peace and joy for you and your family. It is important to remember Christmas is not a day—but a season of joy. It is a time we as Christians focus on the gift of a God who became flesh and dwelt among us. He reveals Himself in simplicity and humility. This is how God acts and exposes His Divine Love. It is true, beautiful and good….human hearts are drawn to this mystery in the infant Jesus and the Holy Family.

Dear Parishioners,

This bulletin reflection is for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, that this year is one full day! It has been a beautiful journey to ready ourselves for the coming of Our Lord; to Be Watchful—Be Alert—Listen. As we now prepare in our final day to celebrate Christmas...the Birth of Christ our Savior.

Dear Parishioners,

We continue our Advent journey and once again hear from John the Baptist this weekend. He reminds us that he came to testify to the lights, to Jesus. He was not the light but the one who prepares the way for the light, for others to encounter the deep love and mercy of Jesus.

Dear Parishioners,

It is the second week of our Advent Journey and we continue our efforts to “Be Watchful-Be Alert-Listen”. Trusting that God is speaking to His people through His Son, His Spirit and His Church. The readings from the Prophet Isaiah during Advent are hopeful and comforting. They were written for a people in exile during the Babylonian captivity. These people deeply longed to be saved, to see God’s face and to be set free. It is a message that finds its fulfillment in Jesus, Emmanuel—God with us. The one who shows us the face of God, the one who saves us and sets us free.

Dear Parishioners,

O Come, O Come Emmanuel. This common chant/song helps us to understand a key part of the Advent season, as we recognize that Emmanuel means, “God is with us.” It is an Advent song that we sing with longing for God to be with us, for a deepening of our faith, hope and love. We as a people know and celebrate that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth and suffered, died and rose in Jerusalem and ascended to heaven; but we still wait for Him to perfect all things when He comes again.