Second Sunday of Advent

My Dear Parishioners,

We gather on the Lord’s Day to celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. The scriptural texts are filled with anticipation and joy for the coming of the Holy One of Israel, Christ the Savior. This is also a time of joy And anticipation as we welcome the JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY which begins with the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Tuesday, December 8th. This extraordinary holy year will be inaugurated by our Holy Father, Pope Francis who wrote in the Papal Bull, Misericordiae Vultus, ” Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life.” He noted the Church’s “ very credibility is seen in how she shows merciful and compassionate love.” Our Holy Father is asking us to bring new life to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy during this jubilee year, something I hope to talk with you about at another time.

His Excellency, Bishop Arthur Serratelli has written a pastoral letter to all of us, the faithful of the Diocese of Paterson, regarding the Jubilee year. Our Bishop, a scripture professor, brings to our attention the wonderful story of the jubilee and how this Holy Year should impact our lives. I urge you to read the pastoral which can be found on the diocesan website: www.patersondiocese.org.

On Tuesday we will hang the JUBILEE HOLY YEAR BANNER in the sanctuary of our church. The banner will remain there until the conclusion of the Holy Year on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe, Sunday, November 20, 2016. The banner bears the artwork of Jesuit priest, Father Marko Rupnik and is entitled, “Merciful like the Father,” taken from Luke 6:36. The logo invites us to follow the merciful example of the Father who asks us not to judge or condemn but to forgive and to give love and forgiveness without measure. In the image we see the Risen Christ having taken upon His shoulders the lost soul demonstrating that it is the love of Christ that brings to completion the mystery of His incarnation culminating in redemption.
I am looking for someone who might consider donating the Holy Year Banner which will hang in the church. The donation is $200. I am sure that this gesture will bring with it many blessings to the donor during this Holy Year of Mercy. Please contact me for additional information.

There’s a lot to tell you about the Jubilee Year and, of course, I cannot do it all now but have a whole year to do so!

God bless you!
Father Zig