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November 25, 2025I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving week with your loved ones, and now the quick rush to the Christmas Season is underway. This weekend we observe the First Sunday of Advent, and the inauguration of the new liturgical year. We are now in Year A of the Sunday readings and Year II of the weekday readings. Our Sunday Gospel readings this year are primarily from Matthew’s Gospel, which means we will hear some more long didactic segments and many of the familiar rhythms upon which the liturgy was built. Matthew’s Gospel has a comfortable home in the Liturgy, and its use of Judaic expressions and images connects us deeply to the practices of Jesus and the early church.
The Advent Season comes with some rich practices and rituals. Though fasting is not a requirement of the season, it is a good spiritual practice as we are in a penitential frame of mind preparing for the great feast of the Nativity of the Lord.
I encourage everyone to have an Advent Wreath in their homes, and perhaps even to utilize the Advent Calendar as a way of focusing forward to Christmas. They both come with good opportunities for family prayer and attention.
Our second grade students will be receiving their First Penance this month, and the Advent Penance Service for the parish is scheduled for Sunday, December 14. Please make every effort to work Confession into your busy schedule this month.
Next Saturday, December 6, is the annual parish Christmas Tree lighting event following the 5pm Mass. We have upgraded the decorations on the tree, so it should look even more vibrant than it has the past few years. You might also have noticed that we have lit an additional tree in front of the school. This tree will be lit every day of the year, featuring either seasonal or themed colors, depending on the day and time of the year.
The gifts purchased for the Giving Trees are due this coming week. Thank you for your generosity. The RAINE Foundation is always in need of volunteers in case you are looking for an opportunity for service hours or to pay-it-forward this holiday season.
Next Monday, December 8, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the patronal feast of the United States, and a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass will be offered at 9am and 5pm on that day.
It is a wonderful and busy time of the year.
Blessings and peace,
Father Garry