Around the Parish – November 30, 2025

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

This weekend we enter a brand-new liturgical year, beginning with the First Sunday of Advent. Advent is a season of longing, watching, and hopeful expectation. The readings this week invite us to “stay awake” and to be ready for the coming of the Lord—not in fear, but in joyful anticipation. Isaiah gives us a beautiful vision of the nations streaming toward the mountain of the Lord, seeking peace and unity. Saint Paul urges us to “throw off the works of darkness” and live as children of the light. And Jesus reminds us that His coming is certain, even if the day and the hour are unknown. Advent calls us to slow down, look within, and let Christ reshape our hearts so that we may welcome Him with renewed faith.

As we light the first candle of the Advent wreath, we begin a journey of hope. This is a season meant to awaken us spiritually—an invitation to prepare room for Christ in our lives in practical and intentional ways. We prepare not just for the celebration of His birth at Christmas, but for His presence in our daily lives and His return in glory. Over the next four weeks, consider what small steps you can take to draw closer to the Lord: carving out quiet moments of prayer, returning to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or offering acts of charity and kindness. May this Advent be a time of grace for our parish family, a time of renewed hope, and a time to lift our eyes toward the One who comes to save us..

Cookie Walk and Soup Sale

Soup containers remain available for pickup today  in the main vestibule of church for all those who are making soup. Soups and cookies can be dropped off in Gallagher Hall THIS FRIDAY from 9am-6pm and THIS SATURDAY from 9am-12pm. If you have any questions, please leave a message at the parish office!

Special CPR & AED Training

We are blessed to share that our parish has received two Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units through a generous grant. To ensure that we are fully prepared to use them in an emergency, we will be hosting a special CPR/AED training session on Wednesday, December 10 at 6:00 PM in Gallagher Hall.

This training is open to all parishioners, especially those involved in parish ministries, hospitality, or anyone who wants to be ready to help in a moment of need. To best accommodate everyone, we ask that you RSVP as soon as possible, so we can plan appropriately for the session.

Thank you for helping us make our parish a safer and more prepared community.

A few thoughts for your week:

As Advent reminds us that even the smallest light can break through the deepest darkness. Be that light for someone this week. Hope is not something we wait to feel;
it’s something we choose to practice.
Let hope guide your steps each day. This season invites us to slow down.
Peace doesn’t come from a quiet world, but from a quiet heart. God often arrives in the ordinary—
a gentle word, a simple kindness,
a moment of stillness. Be watching for Him. You don’t need to be perfect to welcome Christ. You just need to be willing. A willing heart is where grace begins.

Pax et Bonum,
Fr. Andy

The Power and Tradition of Mass Intentions

The Mass is considered the greatest prayer of intercession in the Church. This is because it is the perfect offering of Christ to the Father, making present the Paschal Mystery of His death and resurrection. Traditionally, a Priest may be requested to offer a Mass for a specific intention, even if the requester cannot be physically present.

Offering Masses for the Deceased:

Having a Mass offered for a deceased person is an ancient and commendable practice. A Mass is offered to pray for the departed, that they may find peace in heaven. Since each Mass holds infinite value, requesting one or several Masses is of tremendous benefit to the person prayed for, as well as their family, who can take comfort in knowing that their intention is united with the prayers of the Church.

The Mass: Center of Christian Life:

Every Mass is a precious gift from God. It is the center of the Church’s life, known as “the source and summit of the Christian life,” because in the celebration of the Mass, we are brought back to Jesus’ Last Supper, the first Mass. We consciously recall the love of God poured out for us through the life, death, and resurrection of His only Son, Jesus Christ. At each Mass, all the intentions of God’s people, both living and deceased, are included. As Pope Paul VI noted in his motu proprio “Firma in Traditione,” the faithful, moved by an ecclesial and religious sense, join their own sacrifices to the Eucharistic sacrifice, participating more intensely and supporting the Church’s needs, especially its ministers.

Requesting a Mass Intention:

Anyone may request a Mass Intention for a living person, a deceased person, members of a family, or a special intention appropriate to the celebration of the Eucharist, such as World Peace, Vocations, or Respect for Life. The Church allows only one intention per Mass.

Offering a Mass Stipend:

The normal stipend offering for a Mass is $10. However, a Mass Offering can be more or less than the suggested amount, depending on the financial position of the person requesting the Mass. Envelopes for Mass intention requests are available at the entrances of the church. These envelopes can be placed in the collection basket or returned to the parish office. The requester may also ask for a card to be sent to notify someone that a Mass Intention has been requested (one card per intention). Please note that the name of the person(s) requesting the Mass is not announced.