As a faith community, we continue on our Advent journey as we strive to remain watchful and alert as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of the Lord. This past week we conducted our Advent Mission, and it was well received as Fr. Kevin Peek helped us to focus on the importance of the Eucharist and the joy we should experience during the Advent season as we await the coming of the Christ Child.
During Advent, we continue to honor our Mother Mary in special ways. This past Friday, December 8th, we honored Mary as we celebrated the feast of the Immaculate Conception and affirmed our belief that Mary was blessed among women and was preserved from original sin from the moment of her conception. As reported in the media outlet, “Vatican News”, reflecting on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis stated that “Mary, the only human creature without sin in history, is with us in the battle, she is our sister and above all Mother.” He further noted, “We, who struggle to choose good, can entrust ourselves to her.”
Next Tuesday, December 12th, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, as we once again honor Mary, our Mother. She is the patroness of the United States, Mexico, and all of the Americas, as well as the protector of the unborn. She is a religious as well as a cultural figure to the people of Mexico. In 1531, she appeared in a vision of a humble peasant farmer named Juan Diego near Mexico City. The appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe helped generate the conversion of Mexico and Latin America to Catholicism. Her feast is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm throughout the Americas. Pope Francis reminded us that like Juan Diego, “we are under her shadow and protection, which is the source of joy.”
As we focus on these two great feasts of our Church and the words of Our Holy Father, please be aware that we will have additional opportunities during this season of Advent to avail ourselves of the great Sacrament of Reconciliation, including a Penance Service. The Sacrament is here to heal us spiritually and get us closer to the Lord who loves us. Please check below or the parish website for additional times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
During this great season of Advent, my hope is that through our devotion to Mary, through our prayers and spiritual reflections, through our acts of charity, and the healing provided by the Sacrament of Reconciliation, our hearts will be made ready to receive Our Lord, Our Savior, Our King of Kings.
As we focus on these two great feasts of our Church and on the words of Our Holy Father, please be aware that we will have additional opportunities during this season of Advent to avail ourselves of the great Sacrament of Reconciliation, including a Penance Service. The Sacrament is here to heal us spiritually and get us closer to the Lord who loves us. Please check below or the parish website for additional times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
During this great season of Advent, my hope is that through our devotion to Mary, through our prayers and spiritual reflections, through our acts of charity, and through the healing provided by the Sacrament of Reconciliation, our hearts will be made ready to receive Our Lord, Our Savior, Our King of Kings.