4th Sunday of Advent

Dear Parishioners,

As we begin our last week of preparation for the coming of the Lord, we listen to the Scripture readings today, we observe the preparations three others took during earlier eras. King David intended to prepare a house for the ark of God, but God revealed a more important house to prepare. Saint Paul completed his letter to the Romans, a church he had helped prepare for the mystery of Christ. In the Gospel, once more we hear Mary accept the invitation to bear the Son of God. In these final days of Advent, let us prepare a place in our hearts for the Word of God.

The second collection this weekend is for the Christmas flowers.

Friday is the day we have been anticipating and waiting—the birth of Jesus the Christ. The Christmas Mass schedule is Christmas Eve Mass at 5:00 P.M. The readings at this Mass will be from “the Mass at Night.” Christmas Day Masses will be at 8:00 A.M. and 10:00 A.M. As you noticed on the signs on the church doors and in the flyer in last week’s bulletin, we will not have a Midnight Mass. For the last several years, Mass attendance has been dwindling at midnight. I also talked to the organist and choir director several months ago and they agree to not have a Midnight Mass because many of the choir members are seasoned senior citizens.

Have a Blessed remaining Advent and a very Merry Christmas!