Dec 9, 2007

Advent is really upon us now, and I hope that all of us are in the spiritual preparation that comes with the season. Advent is not a season of “make-believe” where we try to re-establish the first coming of Christ. That one is past, and although we look to the past to think about Christ stepping out of His eternal home in heaven to become a man in order to save us from our sins, we are in the present time. We know that there will be a final coming, as Scriptures tell us, and we look forward to that time, in order that we can be taken to heaven to be with God. However, we also must look at the present and do the work that needs to be done now, building the spiritual home that can welcome Christ whenever He calls us. As I spoke about last Sunday in the homily, it is not the quantity of time that we are to concern ourselves about, but it is the QUALITY OF THE TIME that we work with and produce within ourselves. Take the time to pray, to read about the sacredness of the season, and the expectation of what God has in store for those who really believe in Him, and want to grow with Him. For many, this will be their last Advent and Christmas season here on earth. For all of those who passed away, the Advent prior to their calling was their last. You know neither the day nor the hour, as Scripture tells us. God wants to be with us and help us. We must make the room!

Thanks to all those who came last Sunday to put up some of our decorations. We did not advertise this event too heavily last week-end, since we will need a bigger crew on the Sunday before Christmas, Dec. 23^rd. We need to keep a sense of Advent, a season of preparation and expectation for the coming of Christ.

Today, at Zion Lutheran Church, they will have their Christmas Choral event, with choirs and musicians from many of the local churches. It begins at 3:00 P.M. I do not believe that Holy Childhood has any representation at this event. Our Adult Choir sang at the Shrine on December 5th.

Our parking lot is progressing slowly, but surely. We are having Bernruetter Sod Company put sod down between the parking lot and the sidewalks. It is the best way to stop erosion over the winter and to also improve the looks. We are in the process of making the electrical connections in our church basement. Since we have increased the number of lights on the lot, we have to account for that in some wiring and switching.

It was great to see the good number of adults—regulars and parents, who came to the school children's Mass on Wednesday. I wish that more parents would come so that the children could share with them the Eucharist, and the children could also learn from them that moms and dads, adults old and young, need God in their lives, and need to thank God for their blessings. Faith is caught, not taught! Actions speak louder than words! Teach the values that God wants us to teach, not the values of the world and commercialism.

Pray for the sick! We have many persons in the hospital, as well as at home that need our prayers. Maybe you are one of them. We all take consolation that someone is praying for us. When we widen our horizons and pray for others, we also can count on the prayers of others for us. It is a good feeling not to be alone in our miseries.

PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION

ATTENTION PARENTS

Pick up your copy of the series "Growing In Love" in the PSR office.

Parents are invited to the school meeting room for coffee and refreshments

during class time between 9 & 10:15 AM.

Last modified: 04/06/10