As we look ahead to this week, God’s mercy is going to be offered through the sacrament of Reconciliation a couple of times at different locations. Please check your schedule to see what will fit and give you the opportunity to receive this great gift and be prepared for the coming of Christ. On Dec 17th there will be a communal penance service here at St. Peter at 6:30 pm. On the 19th of December there will be a penance service at St. Stephen parish at 6:30 pm. Then on the 20th of December there will be time for confession at St. Adalbert parish from 5:30 until 7:30 pm.
This Sunday is Gaudete Sunday. You will notice the Rose colored vestments and the candle on the Advent Wreath. This is a season of preparation for the coming in glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. On Christmas we recall and celebrate His coming in the flesh and the unfolding of the plan for our salvation that happened over 2,000 years ago. It is this time now that we hope and look forward to His return. So there is to be that joy in our expectation. Throughout the season we have been hearing from the prophets in the Old Testa[1]ment. They reminded and encouraged the Chosen People of the Lord’s plan for their good. In many ways they also called for conversion so that they were ready for the Lord’s coming. Advent is our call to prepare ourselves, prepare our hearts and lives that can welcome our Lord Jesus more ful[1]ly. I encourage you to look again at our readings not just on Sundays but throughout the season of Advent. They can provide us with a rich amount of material for our daily reflections and time of prayer.
St. Charles Borromeo shares with us the following point of reflection, “As the Church recalls this mystery, she urges us to renew the memory of the great love God has shown us. This holy season teaches us that Christ’s coming was not only for the benefit of his contemporaries; his power has still to be communicated to us all. We shall share his power, if, through holy faith and the sacraments, we willingly accept the grace Christ earned for us, and live by that grace and in obedience to Christ.”
-Fr. John Potaczek