Pastor’s Notes

The Latin, “gaudete” means “rejoice.”  It comes from the first word of the Entrance antiphon for this Third Advent  Sunday.  The spirit of joy that begins this week comes from the words of Paul,  “The Lord is near.”  This joyful spirit is marked by the third candle of the Advent wreath, which is rose colored, and the rose colored vestments often used at the Eucharist.

The second part of Advent begins on December 17th each year – this year, in 2017, it is Sunday.  Join us for “Lessons and Carols” at 5 PM with the Phoenix Chorale.  For the last eight days before Christmas, the shape of the readings changes.  A great way to kick start this second part of Advent is to follow the daily readings even if you cannot attend the Mass.

The first readings are still from the prophecies, but now the gospels are from the infancy stories of Matthew and Luke.  Each tells it differently. We read the accounts of faithful women and men who prepared the way for our salvation.  We linger a bit on the familiar story of how Jesus’ life began.  These ancient narratives are filled with hints of what his life will mean for us.  Faith and generosity overcome impossibility.  Poverty and persecution reveal glory.

In a particularly inspired section of his apostolic exhortation “The Joy of the Gospel;’ Pope Francis writes: “True faith in the incarnate Son of God is inseparable from self-giving,  from membership in the community,  from service, from ” reconciliation with others.   The pope continued,  THE SON OF GOD BY BECOMING FLESH SUMMONED US TO A REVOLUTION OF TENDERNESS.”

We “prepare the way,” this week by acknowledging the tenderness that occasionally moves through our lives.   Sometimes it is subtle, attached to people and events and we forget to notice.  At other times it knocks us off our feet.  We move through this week sensing a part of the waiting world that rejoices because our longing has prepared us to believe the reign of God is close at hand.   And so we consciously ask: 

”Prepare our hearts 
and remove the sadness 
that hinders us from feeling 
the joy and hope
which his presence 
will bestow.”

Our Communal Penance service is on Tuesday Dec. 19^th at 7Pm.  Sinners are particularly welcome. I will be there and about eight priests for confessions.  Giving Tree gifts were due for delivery on Sunday the 14^th.    Next Sunday is Christmas eve.  Morning Masses are at the usual times. We will have a children’s Christmas Eucharist at 5PM.  And the “Misa del Gallo,” the Mass of the rooster at Midnight with candle light … Much to EN-JOY.

A gentle week,
Fr. Michael Weldon, OFM