Second Sunday of Advent

My Dear Parishioners,
 
As we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Day on this Second Sunday of Advent we hear the words of the Gospel Acclamation: “ Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” In the Gospel we are introduced to the Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John whom the Lord had sent ahead of Christ Jesus to announce His coming into the world. With zeal and courage Saint John the Baptist fulfilled his role and ultimately gave his life for the Christ as he witnessed to truth and love.
 
The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season has begun and most people are caught up into all the excitement of the season. This is indeed a time of preparation for the upcoming Feast of Christmas and so we should be involved in the activities which will ready us for the celebration of the Lord’s Nativity. We must be sure that we make every effort to highlight the religious significance of this feast especially at home. I remind you that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! This may be seen as a “winter festival” in communist countries but for us this is the FEAST OF THE BIRTH OF GOD’S ONLY BEGOTTEN SON IN THE FLESH, OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!
 
We must be sure that the secular forces in our culture do not overpower us in our observance of this season and that is why I remind you of the following. As Christians we should be mailing to our friends and neighbors religious Christmas cards, not winter scenes, snowmen and the like. I encouraged you to purchase the religious stamps from the US Postal Service when mailing out your greetings. The display of the crèche in your home and/or outside your home is a wonderful witness that Christ is present in your midst. Greet people with MERRY CHRISTMAS, by doing so you are proclaiming the Gospel in a very simple way.
 
Remember that our celebration of the Solemnity of the Nativity of our God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated with participation in the Holy Mass on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This year we have Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday. This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. I remind you that YOU MUST FULFILL THE COMMANDMENT TO OBSERVE THE LORD’S DAY BY ATTENDING HOLY MASS ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24TH AND THE CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 25TH. That means attendance at Holy Mass twice in one weekend. No cheating!!!
 
The liturgy reminds us that we join with the Baptist John in preparing for the coming of the Lord and we do so with zeal and with courage. Please remember to come to confession on Monday, December 18th at 7:00 in the evening (Saint Cecilia Church) as we prepare our hearts to receive Him who was sent to save us from our sins, Christ our God.
 
God bless you!
Father Zig