Dear Parishioners,

Today, November 28, we begin Advent. The word “Advent” means “Arrival” and during these days the Church invites us to prepare for the arrival, the advent of Jesus Christ. We actually speak about 3 arrivals of Christ. 1.) His future arriving in glory “the end of the world”. 2.) His arrival as God made flesh over 2,000 years ago. 3.) His coming to us each day in the people and events of our lives. During the first part of Advent the Church focuses on the future coming of Christ. This first segment of this season lasts from today through December 16. Only beginning on December 17 does the Church’s concentration shift to remembering the birth of God the Son made human which we celebrate on Christmas. This change is very evident in the Prayers and Scripture passages we hear during Mass. During Evening Prayer, part of the Liturgy of the Hours, this shift is underlined by the use of what are called the “O” Antiphons for the Magnificat. These antiphons are so called because each of them begins with “O” and some title of Christ. These titles are probably familiar to most of us because of the Advent Hymn “O come, O come Immanuel”. It is because of this link between this song and the last days of Advent that I have asked we not sing it before December 17. We best prepare to welcome Christ with joy when He comes in glory by welcoming Him now as He comes to us every day. Let me also mention again that even though Advent is not a penitential season going to Confession can serve as a beneficial aspect of preparing to welcome Christ. I hope many of us will take advantage of our Pastorate’s communal penance services. Finally, I am well aware that what the Church invites us to do during Advent is very different from what our society is doing. I am not so foolish as to think that we can avoid our society’s celebration of “the holidays.” Nonetheless I hope we can make these days of Advent a true time of “preparing the way of the Lord” so that His coming in glory will be a cause of joy and not dread.

Fr. Richard Weisenberger