 As we begin a new church year and light the first candle on our Advent Wreath, our thoughts tend to jump ahead to Christmas (especially since the sights and sounds of Christmas already surround us). But let’s not rush the season. Advent has its own rhythm and pace that we need to listen to and follow. It’s more than just the run-up to Christmas.
In thinking about the season the words that came to mind were from the liturgy: “we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.” Waiting in joyful hope is something of a balancing act: joy and hope are not always comfortable together. Waiting and celebrating tend to compete with each other.
During the new year of grace that begins today our Sunday gospel readings will mostly come from St. Mark. This gospel moves at a fast pace. Words like “immediately,” “suddenly,” and “just then” appear frequently. We can feel nearly out of breath keeping up with Jesus. I imagine his early disciples felt just that way. No wonder the symbol for Mark’s gospel is a winged lion. From his opening lines, “The time is at hand, the kingdom of God has come” to the end where Jesus sent the apostles out into the whole world to proclaim the gospel, Jesus is on the move.
But through it all Jesus does not appear to be rushed. His pace is measured, not frantic. He knows who he is and whose he is. One of the important reasons for this is that Jesus spent time in prayer. It was in loving communion with his Father that he gained the knowledge of God’s will and the strength to live it. Out of this experience he declared to his disciples that God’s kingdom is among us already. And he commissioned them to proclaim his word, to heal infirmities and to welcome outcasts.
With the coming of Jesus everyone gets a fresh start and a reason to celebrate. Talk about hope! And so we are invited to spend this season waiting in joyful hope for what has already happened and what will happen again and again, if only we are alert to the workings of God. That means spending time in prayer just as Jesus did. Add that to your Christmas list! -Fr. Peter
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
The sacrament of the anointing of the sick will be offered for our elderly and infirm members at both Masses on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 21. Plan ahead to assist family members and neighbors who would like to receive this sacrament.
EVENING PRAYER AND PENANCE
An Advent Evening Prayer Service will be celebrated at St. Wenceslaus on Wednesday evening, December 17, at 7:00 pm. There will be an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Penance at the conclusion of the service.
SUBSCRIPTION TIME
With this month’s Breakfast with Santa our 2008 social and fund raising calendar will be completed. Thanks to the subscription plan, all the activities have been successful. A new year of social and fund raising activities begins in January, and the subscription cost will remain the same for the coming year. For $11 a month subscribers will have access to all the year’s activities at a saving of $26 over the separate event costs. Subscribers have the option of paying monthly, quarterly or yearly. Members of the Fundraising Committee are available in the vestibule after Mass on the first and second Sunday of each month to enroll members in the subscription plan and to accept payments. Some even give subscriptions as Christmas gifts!
ST. NICHOLAS PROGRAM
The Czech and Slovak Heritage Singers will present a St. Nicholas Day program at St. Wenceslaus on Sunday afternoon, December 7 at 2:00. The program features a variety of seasonal music around the traditions of St. Nicholas. All are invited to the program and the reception which will follow.
WHY CATHOLIC? RECESS
The Fall series of Why Catholic? sessions is now complete. The next series will begin in Lent and will address issues of Christian morality in contemporary life. New members are urged to join one of the groups for the Lenten series. A sign-up period will be announced prior to the start of Lent.
PENNY DRIVE
Our children and youth are collecting pennies for the poor this season. There is a large jug in the back of the church to receive your pennies. Adults, too, are invited to bring those penny jars to church and put them to good use.
INVESTMENT CLUB
Investment Club winners for the eighth week will be announced next week.
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CHRISTMAS FOOD DRIVE
On a weekend devoted to celebrating God’s abundant gifts, we are also mindful of those who are in need. Our good friends at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Ellicott City have again delivered carloads of food for Thanksgiving, and our outreach volunteers have worked overtime in packing and distributing Thanksgiving baskets. Now it is our turn to replenish the shelves in time for Christmas. The Men’s Club food drive is underway. We urge you to place your gifts of non-perishable food in the baskets in the vestibule by December 14.
THE GIVING TREE
The Giving Tree is set up in the front of the church, with tags that list items needed for the poor this Christmas. Please include the Giving Tree in your Christmas shopping and place your gift in the baskets under the tree by December 14. Again this year our gifts will go to the Franciscan Center.
ADVENT BOOKLETS
Copies of an Advent reflection booklet “Five Minutes with the Word” are available in the back of the church. The books offer a daily meditation based on the Scriptures of the season. Other devotional aids for the season are available for the taking as well.
DECEMBER 8 HOLY DAY
Monday, December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, is a holy day of obligation. Holy Day Masses will be offered at 8:00 am and 6:00 pm on December 8. |
MASS INTENTIONS
Sun, Nov 30 8:30 James Kane
11:15 For the Parishioners
Mon, Dec 1 8 am James Kane
Tues, Dec 2 Raymond & Julia Buckheister
Wed, Dec 3 Marie Livingston
Thur, Dec 4 7 am Kathleen Ball
Gift of Hope Convent
Fri, Dec 5 Anna Zubalik
Sat, Dec 6 Bro. Ulvich, SSsR
FIRST FRIDAY
December 5 is the First Friday of the month. Our Holy Hour for Vocations begins at 7:30 am and continues with Mass at 8:00.
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
1st Reading Isaiah 40:1-5. 9-11
2nd Reading 2 Peter 3:8-14
Gospel Mark 1:1-8
GIFT OF FLOWERS
Flowers at the statue of the Sacred Heart today are given by Vicki Goldbeck for a special intention.
LECTOR WORKBOOKS
The new church year begins today. Workbooks for lectors for Year B are available in the sacristy. Please cross your name off the list when you receive your workbook.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Our annual Breakfast with Santa will be held on Saturday morning, December 20 from 10 to 12. Children 12 years old and younger will receive a gift from Santa. Tickets are available now in the office: $5 for adults and $4 for children.
CHRISTMAS NOVENA
We will offer a nine day novena of Masses for our loved ones beginning on Christmas. There are cards in the church office you may send to a loved one and envelopes to list their names on the altar. A free will offering may be included but is not required.
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