On this final Sunday of Advent, the Church’s liturgy and scriptures bid us rejoice as “the clouds prepare to rain down the Just One, and as the earth prepares to be opened and bring forth a Savior.” As we await the arrival of God, not in a palace but in a stable, let us pray for a spirit of gratitude for all that God has done.
In gratitude, I thank the Knights of Columbus for hosting the Breakfast with Santa last Sunday, and to Santa for the wonderful gifts he gave to the children. It was so nice to see the overflow crowd after the 10:00 AM Mass! It is so nice to see the parish community come together for fellowship and a good breakfast!
Beginning last Friday, CatholicsComeHome.org began to air commercials inviting those away from the practice of their faith to return “home.” I encourage you to pray for those who have left the Church and invite them to join us this Christmas Season at Holy Cross!
The Collect (opening prayer) for today’s Mass is the same Collect that traditionally concludes the Angelus. In ages past, this ancient prayer summoned the faithful at dawn, noon and dusk to pause and remember the great mystery of Mary’s daringly obedient faith, by which the eternal God took on our human flesh in the mystery of the Incarnation. Since, as we say so often, the way we pray both expresses and reinforces how we believe, might it not be a salutary end-of-Advent resolution to restore – to at least one daily observance – this central of our faith, whose ramifications certainly have the potential to renew, on many levels, our Christian witness in the world? Make an effort to pray at dawn, noon and dusk!
The Nativity scene is moving! The language of the Church is very strong that the Nativity scene should not be placed in front of the altar. Therefore the Nativity scene will be placed in the area of the Shrine of St. Joseph. Here it will remain a place of devotion, prayer and wonder! Come and help to prepare the church for Christmas on Thursday, December 22 beginning at 10:00 AM. Lunch will be served at Noon.
Our Responsorial Psalm this weekend, “Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord,” challenges us to proclaim God’s good news to the world.
Six rings are great but 7 would be heaven ... GO STEELERS!
