Peace and all Good!

On this Sunday and the next, John the Baptist fills a prominent role in the Gospel. The purpose of John’s entire life was to point the way to the Messiah. Today he tells us: “Make ready the way of the Lord, clear him a straight path.” And on next Sunday he protests: “There is one to come who is mightier than I. I am not fit to loosen his sandal straps.” The liturgy of these two Sundays affords us the grace to imitate John the Baptist.

We become like him, not by wearing sackcloth and dining on grasshoppers, but by living in such a way that it is obvious that if our faith in Christ were not true, our lives would make no sense. Anyone who is willing to walk in the way of the Lord is invited to come on the journey!

This week we celebrate the beautiful Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12th. The calendar of events for this Feast is on the back cover of today’s bulletin. I especially encourage us to celebrate the lovely custom of “Mañanitas” early on the morning of the Feast day as we serenade Our Lady. We end the day with a beautiful Festive Mass at 7:00 p.m. Remember, Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Patronnes of all the Americas! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

In the midst of all the busyness of this Season, I invite you to take some time out to prepare not only your homes and gifts under the tree but also to prepare your hearts for Christ. Please celebrate God’s mercy in our beautiful Advent Penance Service with individual confessions on December 13th. We will have many confessors. What better way to “clear a path for the Lord?”

This past week, our Parish Pastoral Council met to discuss a new and exciting ministry in the parish: Ministry to the newly married and young parents. Our goal is to strengthen marriages and to nurture the life of families in the parish. This is a priority. I would like to invite younger couples married in recent years to a special gathering on Sunday, February 10th in the parish dining room. Please save the date for this exciting opportunity for you to come together, enjoy each other’s company and to plan for other opportunities to grow in Christian marriage and family life.

Love,  Fr. Vince