Dear friends,
We have entered the second week of Advent with joyful anticipation for the arrival of the one who gives meaning and purpose to our lives. During this time, we join with our ancestors in faith, the people of Israel, who longed for the Savior to come so that “Israel may advance secure in the glory of God” (Baruch 5: 7). With those same longings of hope, let us prepare this Advent for that same Savior to take possession of our hearts.
One of the most prominent Advent figures is John the Baptist whose sole mission was to prepare the people for the arrival of the long-awaited Savior. The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 3:4-6, describes his fervent message to the people of Israel thus: “A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
Once again, I thank you for your patient endurance of the current inconveniences during this first phase of our construction project. As we wait together with joyful anticipation for the improvements to take shape, I ask for your continued understanding.
I would also like to thank those of you who attended our Advent Mission last week. Fr. David Guffey, C.S.C., offered three grace-filled evenings of reflection to invigorate our sagging spirits in preparation for the day of our salvation.
Please take note of the many events in our parish during this blessed Advent season offered as opportunities for preparing, quieting, and disciplining our hearts for the full joy of Christmas:
7 December, Tuesday: Advent Penance Service at 7 m.
8 December, Wednesday: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be at 8 a.m., 12.05 p.m., and 7 p.m.
To conclude the “Year of St. Joseph,” we will offer Eucharistic Adoration from 5 to 7 p.m. in honor of the Patron of the Universal Church and end with a solemn celebration of the Mass at 7 p.m.
14 December, Tuesday: Vespers at 7 p.m.
21 December, Tuesday: The Stations of the Crib at 7 p.m. Have a Blessed Advent!
With love, Fr. John
Let us also continue our reflection on the Eucharist found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: ARTICLE 3: THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST
- THE PASCHAL BANQUET The fruits of Holy Communion
1398 The Eucharist and the unity of Christians. Before the greatness of this mystery St. Augustine exclaims, "O sacrament of devotion! O sign of unity! O bond of charity!" (St. Augustine, In Jo. ev. 26,13:PL 35,1613; cf. SC 47). The more painful the experience of the divisions in the Church which break the common participation in the table of the Lord, the more urgent are our prayers to the Lord that the time of complete unity among all who believe in him may return.
1399 The Eastern churches that are not in full communion with the Catholic Church celebrate the Eucharist with great love. "These Churches, although separated from us, yet possess true sacraments, above all - by apostolic succession - the priesthood and the Eucharist, whereby they are still joined to us in closest intimacy." A certain communion in sacris, and so in the Eucharist, "given suitable circumstances and the approval of Church authority, is not merely possible but is encouraged" (UR 15 § 2; cf. CIC, can. 844 § 3).
1400 Ecclesial communities derived from the Reformation and separated from the Catholic Church, "have not preserved the proper reality of the Eucharistic mystery in its fullness, especially because of the absence of the sacrament of Holy Orders" (UR 22 § 3). It is for this reason that, for the Catholic Church, Eucharistic intercommunion with these communities is not possible. However these ecclesial communities, "when they commemorate the Lord's death and resurrection in the Holy Supper . . . profess that it signifies life in communion with Christ and await his coming in glory" (UR 22 § 3).
1401 When, in the Ordinary's judgment, a grave necessity arises, Catholic ministers may give the sacraments of Eucharist, Penance, and Anointing of the Sick to other Christians not in full communion with the Catholic Church, who ask for them of their own will, provided they give evidence of holding the Catholic faith regarding these sacraments and possess the required dispositions (Cf. CIC, can. 844 § 4).
Be Blessed!
With love, Fr. John