Hope in His Coming

12-08-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Fred Adamson

Dear Parishioners,

Advent – a time for renewal, conversion and making room for the mystery of God’s love revealed in His Son born in a manager. It is a season of Hope for us – Hope in His Coming is our focus as a parish this year. It ties into the Jubilee 2025 Holy Year… Pilgrims of Hope. Christian Hope is unique in that it is hope in our Savior, Jesus. That He is our strength and source of peace.

Advent helps us to reset our bearings when maybe we have lost hope, or wondered a bit over the past year. We set our bearings on Jesus and His saving grace as our Messiah. We come to a deeper understanding that He is Emmanuel – God with us! Our hope is in Him and He is with us. As we light another candle on the Advent wreath, we draw closer to that great mystery of His saving love and that He is indeed with us.

Because December 8th falls on a Sunday this year, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is moved to Monday, December 9th. It is a Holy Day of Obligation, which means the people of God are called to go to Mass, to gather as a community to honor our Lady and her role in salvation as the Mother of God and our mother as well. Mass t imes are listed in the bulletin and it is an opportunity during this Advent season to grow in our relationship with our Blessed Mother.

On December 12th , we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Diocese of Phoenix. Her appearance to Juan Diego, a simple indigenous man, led to 9 million conversions to Jesus and life in His Church. The simple message is one of the loving care of His mother and to trust in Him. Our Diocese is preparing for the 500th anniversary of her appearance at Tepeyac, a small hilltop outside of Mexico City over several days in 1531. During this time of preparation, I hope we can all come to know her better as the Mother of the Americas. One who brings people together in love for Her Son – people of different places, races and backgrounds united in Jesus, who she carries in her womb in the beloved miraculous image. There will be a celebration to honor her after the 9:00am morning Mass on Thursday and we look to the years ahead as we prepare to celebrate the 500th anniversary. Our Lady of Guadalupe pray for us.

December 13th is the Evening of Music and Prayer for our community and guests. A time for each of our Chorale groups to lead us in prayerful song along with scripture, teaching and prayer. We will gather in the Church focused on the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe – remembering her message – “Am I not here, I who am your mother?”

Hopefully you have found the new Missals in the pews helpful in your prayer at Mass and other times. The opportunity to follow along with the Word of God as well as to lift our voices in prayer is an important part of the spirit of the liturgy. We will continue with the one page worship aid that lists the different songs and the page number of the readings. In addition, it will have an image for the weekend and a space to take a note or two. When the Word of God, a phrase in a prayer or song hits us, it is good to capture it and remember it for the week. We hope all this helps in our growing as missionary disciples.

May your second week of Advent be blessed and full of hope. May you continue to set your bearing on Jesus and be aware of the world around you and its blessings.

Advent peace, joy and hope.

Fr. Fred