From Our Pastor: 2nd Sunday of Advent

This weekend we are introduced to the interesting figure that is St. John the Baptist. I think we tend to make him some mundane person because he is a common figure, but John was definitely the furthest thing from mundane. John is a prophet, the last of the prophets. The prophets were far from normal. John is wild, but that gains attention of people and wakes them up from their slumber of lackadaisical religious living. We need a John today to wake people out of their laziness and lack of faithfulness in living their faith. John announces the coming of the Messiah. During this Advent season hearken to his words. Prepare the way of the Lord, but understand this is into your heart and life and to the first priority in all you do and all you are.

This weekend we enter into a fun tradition of the feast of St. Nicholas. Fr. Rafal says in Poland this is the gift giving day. Take the opportunity as a family to look up the life of St. Nicholas and read about him and his story. Sunday night put out your shoes in the hallway outside your bedrooms for Saint Nick to put little presents; for example, a piece of candy or two, some fruit, a religious gift, or any other small gift. Then on Monday, December 6, the Feast of Saint Nick, we wake up to the surprise! Love this tradition. Teach your children who St. Nicholas is: an amazing saint who is an inspiration in following the Lord.

This next week, December 8, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. IT IS A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION! Make sure you make time for Mass that day. Tuesday will be the Vigil Mass of the feast at 5:30 p.m., and then our normally scheduled Masses on Wednesday at 6:30 a.m., 8:35 a.m. with the school, and 5:30 p.m. Please see this as an opportunity! See you there to give praise and glory to God for the conception of His mother free from sin.

-Rev. Steven Arisman