Every December I feel a connection with St. John the Baptist who was the "Voice crying in the wilderness." Fortunately his lone, strong voice was heeded by some in his day and I hope MANY since his day, including us, who are called to prepare the way for the Lord in our hearts and in our day-to-day lives. I sometimes believe that I am a lone voice when I cry out: "PARTICIPATE IN MASS ON CHRISTMAS DAY." I hope it doesn't go totally unheeded, but given the numbers of people who normally participate in Mass on Christmas Eve, I get the sense that not too many people choose to put Christ first on Christmas by either going to Midnight Mass or a Mass on Christmas morning. While I know there are practical reasons for people not choosing to participate in Midnight Mass (especially in Hot Springs Village), still I believe that no matter what might be planned on Christmas Day with family and/or friends, the plans could easily happen around, what I believe should be, the centerpiece of the day, celebrating the Eucharist with the family of God, and welcoming Jesus into our hearts in Holy Communion on the very day we celebrate his being welcomed into the world. Obviously as a priest, the decision is easy for me to make (to participate in Mass on Christmas Day as well as the Vigil Mass). My hope is that at least one person (or dare I say more than that) will read this and decide to participate in a Christmas Day Mass, especially if that is not what you normally do.
While many Christmas celebrations are done, at the latest, on Christmas Day, please mark your calendar for January 6, (Epiphany Sunday) as we will be welcoming the singing group "Voices Rising" who will entertain us that afternoon in our church at 3:00 p.m. with a "CHRISTMAS program of music." Those who wish to do so, can stay afterward for our "Epiphany Crockpot Supper" and Bingo in the lower hall. I find it refreshing (and I hope you will as well) to be counter-cultural and do something (like this) long after most people have moved on from Christmas. It will truly be a fun afternoon and evening for those who come!
While many Christmas celebrations are done, at the latest, on Christmas Day, please mark your calendar for January 6, (Epiphany Sunday) as we will be welcoming the singing group "Voices Rising" who will entertain us that afternoon in our church at 3:00 p.m. with a "CHRISTMAS program of music." Those who wish to do so, can stay afterward for our "Epiphany Crockpot Supper" and Bingo in the lower hall. I find it refreshing (and I hope you will as well) to be counter-cultural and do something (like this) long after most people have moved on from Christmas. It will truly be a fun afternoon and evening for those who come!
Pope John Paul II, and now Saint John Paul II, celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation weekly.
Part of me says this pastor's column could have been the shortest I've ever written, since I want this column to be an encouragement to more frequent reception of this wonderful, powerful sacrament, especially during the seasons of Advent and Lent. But wait a minute Father, (some of you might say), just a few weeks ago, you spoke in a homily of the power of the celebration of Mass with the reception of Holy Communion to forgive venial sins. Do I really need to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation if I haven't committed any mortal sins? My answer is a big YES if you think about Pope John Paul II going to Confession as often as he did. In doing so, he was not only consciously humbling himself (which is what Jesus said time and time again everyone should do). He was also seeking a closer union with God and knew he (and we) could do so anytime and every time he received a sacrament. Recognizing, acknowledging, and confessing all our sins, especially those that we commit over and over again can, through God's grace and the counsel of the priest, lead us to overcome some of these sins and relegate them to our past life, which means a more Christ-like, peaceful life now and in the future. At the present we have have eight or nine priests planning to be here for our Advent Reconciliation on Tuesday, December 18, from 4:00 -6:00 p.m. Please join us and see this as the perfect time of the year for us to make more room (through God's forgiveness and that of his Church) for Christ to enter in (especially at Christmas) and dwell more deeply in our minds and hearts and in our parish family as a whole. It will bring the Peace (of Christ) that was so evident in the eartly life of Pope John Paul II and now in his eternal life with the Lord and all the holy ones in glory!
Part of me says this pastor's column could have been the shortest I've ever written, since I want this column to be an encouragement to more frequent reception of this wonderful, powerful sacrament, especially during the seasons of Advent and Lent. But wait a minute Father, (some of you might say), just a few weeks ago, you spoke in a homily of the power of the celebration of Mass with the reception of Holy Communion to forgive venial sins. Do I really need to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation if I haven't committed any mortal sins? My answer is a big YES if you think about Pope John Paul II going to Confession as often as he did. In doing so, he was not only consciously humbling himself (which is what Jesus said time and time again everyone should do). He was also seeking a closer union with God and knew he (and we) could do so anytime and every time he received a sacrament. Recognizing, acknowledging, and confessing all our sins, especially those that we commit over and over again can, through God's grace and the counsel of the priest, lead us to overcome some of these sins and relegate them to our past life, which means a more Christ-like, peaceful life now and in the future. At the present we have have eight or nine priests planning to be here for our Advent Reconciliation on Tuesday, December 18, from 4:00 -6:00 p.m. Please join us and see this as the perfect time of the year for us to make more room (through God's forgiveness and that of his Church) for Christ to enter in (especially at Christmas) and dwell more deeply in our minds and hearts and in our parish family as a whole. It will bring the Peace (of Christ) that was so evident in the eartly life of Pope John Paul II and now in his eternal life with the Lord and all the holy ones in glory!
Normally my pastor's column is meant to speak equally to all (or at least most) parishioners on issues and reflections that I hope are both interesting and helpful to all who read it. This week, I want to reach out to two different groups within the same column.
Ther first group is those who have lost a family member or close friend through death this year of 2018. Such a loss may have changed your world greatly (if it was a spouse), significantly, or at least in some way. You have a bond with others who also lost someone special to them. While some of you lost loved ones who died here, others had loved ones die who lived far from Hot Springs Village, and their funeral services were far away from us. I would hope all of you would consider participating in our annual Parish Mass of Remembrance on Tuesday, December 11 at 9:00 a.m. While acknowledging the loss and grief that you have or are still going through, we will give thanks for the life that these special people lived and lift them up to the Lord as we pray for the happy repose of their souls. PLEASE join us for Mass and if you can, for the reception that follows.
The second group I want to speak to are those who have NOT lost a loved one in this past year. Just as some of you are so good about participating in Masses of Resurrection for deceased parishioners that happen here, so I hope and pray that you will make the effort to participate in this Parish Mass of Remembrance that will be offered for relatives and close friends of your fellow parishioners, some of whom died here and some who died away from here which means you were not there for them (both the deceased and their family members) at the place where their funeral was held. The call of the spiritual works of mercy (which includes praying for the dead) is always before us and this special Mass is a wonderful opportunity for ALL OF US to gather in prayer for the recently-deceased and offer support to those who have grieved or are grieving the passing from this life of people special to them. Of course you are also invited to the reception of eats and drinks that follows this Mass.
Ther first group is those who have lost a family member or close friend through death this year of 2018. Such a loss may have changed your world greatly (if it was a spouse), significantly, or at least in some way. You have a bond with others who also lost someone special to them. While some of you lost loved ones who died here, others had loved ones die who lived far from Hot Springs Village, and their funeral services were far away from us. I would hope all of you would consider participating in our annual Parish Mass of Remembrance on Tuesday, December 11 at 9:00 a.m. While acknowledging the loss and grief that you have or are still going through, we will give thanks for the life that these special people lived and lift them up to the Lord as we pray for the happy repose of their souls. PLEASE join us for Mass and if you can, for the reception that follows.
The second group I want to speak to are those who have NOT lost a loved one in this past year. Just as some of you are so good about participating in Masses of Resurrection for deceased parishioners that happen here, so I hope and pray that you will make the effort to participate in this Parish Mass of Remembrance that will be offered for relatives and close friends of your fellow parishioners, some of whom died here and some who died away from here which means you were not there for them (both the deceased and their family members) at the place where their funeral was held. The call of the spiritual works of mercy (which includes praying for the dead) is always before us and this special Mass is a wonderful opportunity for ALL OF US to gather in prayer for the recently-deceased and offer support to those who have grieved or are grieving the passing from this life of people special to them. Of course you are also invited to the reception of eats and drinks that follows this Mass.