Around the Parish – December 21, 2025
Published on December 20, 2025
The Wreath is Aglow!
This As we arrive at the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the nearness of Christmas becomes unmistakable. The Church invites us to pause in these final days—not to rush, but to let the mystery of the Incarnation take root in our hearts. In the Gospel we meet Saint Joseph, whose silent trust becomes a model for us. Faced with uncertainty, he welcomes God’s plan and, in doing so, welcomes Christ Himself. His quiet “yes” reminds us that opening our hearts to God’s will allows Christ to enter our lives more deeply.
These last Advent days encourage us to ask where the Lord is inviting us to make room for Him. Perhaps it’s in a relationship needing healing, a habit that needs changing, or a place in our lives where we’ve hesitated to let God in. Rather than adding more to an already full season, Advent calls us to surrender a bit of control and welcome Emmanuel—God-with-us. A few moments of quiet prayer, a visit to the church, or time before the nativity can help us prepare to receive Jesus with renewed faith and joy this Christmas..
Christmas Mass Schedule
Celebrate the Nativity of the Lord with us:
Christmas Eve:
5:00 PM & 9:00 PM
Christmas Day:
9:00 AM
New Year’s Day Masses
As we begin the new year with the Mother of God, Masses will be offered on:
December 31 at 6:00 PM
January 1 at 9:00 AM
Let us entrust the coming year to Mary’s care as she leads us ever closer to her Son.
Sacred Saturday in January
Be sure to sign up for our next Sacred Saturday with Paco Gavrilides, a gifted and dynamic Catholic evangelist. Paco will join us to speak on evangelization in the modern world. More details can be found in this weekend’s bulletin.
A few thoughts for your week:
As we await Christmas just a few days away, let your heart slow down—Christ comes not because we finish everything, but because He loves us. Make room for a moment of wonder and allow God to speak in the quiet. Carry Joseph’s trust with you when stress rises, and let a simple visit to the nativity soften your heart. Choose one small act of mercy this week so someone else may experience Christ’s love. Seek joy intentionally, remembering that Emmanuel—God with us—is present in every task, burden, and blessing of these final Advent days.
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.
