Welcome to a new liturgical year! The liturgical year begins with the First Sunday of Advent. During the Advent season, we prepare for Christ’s coming in three ways: as an infant who came into this world over two thousand years ago, as our Lord and Savior coming into our hearts right here and now, and as the Son of Man who will come into this world again at the end of time. We do not know when the last of these will occur, as this Advent season is a good opportunity to focus on preparing our hearts for Jesus now, perhaps by looking for His face in those we encounter.
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, acknowledging that Jesus the Christ is above all temporal rulers, past, present, or future. We also recognize that Jesus the Christ should reign in our lives, guiding us in our thoughts, our decisions, and our conduct. In both the universe that is the entire world and the universe that is our own heart, Jesus is Lord. With this celebration, we come to the end of the liturgical year. Next weekend we will begin the new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent.
With Thanksgiving upon us, we know that Christmas is soon to follow; however, before Christmas is the beautiful season of Advent. I’d like to invite you to join me and your fellow parishioners for BEST ADVENT EVER, a free email program from Dynamic Catholic. All you have to do is sign up at BestAdventEver.com. Each day you will receive an email with short inspirational videos, practical tips for your everyday life, and real-life stories to encourage you in your faith journey. I hope you will sign up today. Remember, it’s free!
Nativity Raffle sheet The Ladies Altar Society is raffling a 12 piece Nativity figure set with stable, 6” figures are made of polymer resin $1.00 per chance (Drawing to be December 2, 2018) See one of the Ladies Altar Society members for raffle sheet
GARDEN is an original musical play written by Joey Martineck, featuring the music of Greg&Lizzy, produced by Dumb Ox Ministries. A full-stage retelling of the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, adapted from the book of Genesis, inspired by the writings of St. John Paul II. The play features a dialogue that balances humor and drama with a plot that is creatively surprising while being dynamically familiar. Themes of authentic love, relationship, and struggle inspire the audience with the truth of what it means to be human. GARDEN invites us to revisit what it means to be created from love, consider our need for God’s mercy and answer the call to live in true freedom.
The newly established Vocation Committee of St. Peter Parish will be introducing The Traveling Vocation Crucifix over the next few weeks. Please read the information in the bulletin and on the website for further information.
This weekend, Catholic church parishes will take up a collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). In the United States, one in seven people lives in poverty. With this collection you support programs that address the causes of poverty and provide a sustainable future for those who are struggling across the country. In addition, twenty-five percent (25%) of funds collected remains in the Archdiocese of New Orleans to fund local anti-poverty projects. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this collection and work on the margins. More information about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development can be found at www.usccb.org/cchd/collection.
Today, November 11th, we celebrate Veterans Day, which celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. I thank all men and women who throughout the years served the United States in the military. Your service is to be commended. May God continue to watch over all military personnel both in the United States and those in foreign countries. Today is also a special day for us at St. Peter Parish. It’s Monsignor Eyraud’s birthday. May he continue to intercede on our behalf.