I am not shy to admit that I have had a difficult time over the years with the dichotomy of two distinct seasons (Advent and Christmas) being celebrated by some at the same time. Advent always begins on the Sunday following the Solemnity of Christ the King and ends on December 24 each year.  "Christmas" for some begins whenever retail merchants and individuals want it to begin. That used to be the day after Thanksgiving, but has started now earlier than that, and, at times, much earlier. Over the years of my priesthood, especially after I became a pastor for the first time, I have tried to promote to parishioners celebrating these two seasons as they are listed on the "Church" calendar with the Christmas season starting on December 25 and ending officially on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The fact that it ends with the celebration of Jesus's Baptism as an adult in the Jordan River says to us that it (the Christmas Season in the Church) is not just about a baby (Jesus) who was born in Bethlehem, but the manifestation of Jesus as the Son of the Most High which is proclaimed to Mary and Joseph through the message of an angel even before Jesus was born. During my priesthood, I have run into more than a little opostion from church groups when I have tried to get them to schedule "Christmas Gatherings" during the Church Christmas Season and, therefore, focus on Advent and the themes of Advent (waiting, hoping, anticipating and preparing for Jesus' coming in glory) not only at Mass but in other settings at church in the days leading up to the Christmas season. In almost all instances I have been rebuffed and opposed by those who say "we've always done it this way or at this time" (before December 25) when having their "Christmas celebrations. I have now come to the realization and acceptance that people want to celebrate Christmas in various church and other public and private venues during the Advent Season and in the days and even weeks before December 25. Accepting the fact that most of these gatherings are not focused primarily on Jesus's birth in Bethlehem (though some of the music is) I still feel it is important for ALL OF US to spend time individually and as family "getting ready" for Christ's coming again and allow the space and time to welcome him and his way of love, mercy, generousity & more into our daily lives. Finally, take advantage of ways here and elsewhere to help people in need. Does this make an otherwise busy time (shopping, Christmas parties etc.) busier? Perhaps so! My suggestion and encouragement is to put Advent activities first on the list of priorities and, if you choose to do so, find time for these other activities after that. When we put the Lord first everyday and in every season, everything else finds its proper place and will hopefully be a blessing to us and to others!

While I did have a number of topics that I felt needed to be covered in the pastor's column in the month of November, I decided to purposely wait for the weekend after "Thanksgiving" to do the column on our November VIPs, Mike and Chris Franz, because, like all our VIPs of the past and those of the future, I have many reasons to give thanks to God (and the Franz's) for all they have done and conitnue to do in our wonderful parish AND in the community at large. Before giving you their activities and ministries, I want to share where I see and appreciate them the most. For Mike it is his faithfulness in being an usher EVERY Saturday night. He and most, if not all of our ushers, are so dedicated in coming early before and staying late after our weekend Masses. Mike is always helpful to both parishioners and visitors alike who need something before Mass. Chris heads up our funeral liturgy bereavement ministry and is often the one in charge of helping the bereaved family set up the personal pictures and other personal items of their loved ones that are displayed in the Narthex before the funerals. She and the other ladies who help her, set up items that are needed for these special liturgies and assist the bereaved family in other ways before and after the funeral. Mike and Chris belonged for years to our Sacred Heart Bowling League and were pleasant to oppose or have as partners during their time in the league. Mike was also a coordinator for many years with the bowling that was part the "Blind Camp" that was held in our area and successfully recruited fellow parishioners (usually KNights) to help the blind bowlers bowl and have fun doing it. Mike has been a faithful Knight of our Council and Assembly ever since he and Chris moved to the Village about 18 years ago. He regularly helps his brother Knights in setting up the large American flags that adorn our campus on patriotic holidays. Mike has used his gifts to help build and/or repair such things as our baptismal font, the umbrella racks and the door to the chapel and made MANY crosses for the "Crosses for LIfe" and offers his truck to go and pick things up including donated items for our past "Treasure Sales". He has been a "Helping Hands" volunteer and has helped with church decorating at Christmas and preparing the food boxes for needy families at Christmas. Chris is an active member of the St Anthony Guild and the Ladies of the Sacred Heart and, in addition to what was said above,  rotates with other ladies to care for the fresh flowers around the altar area, is a sunshine card volunteer in Helping Hands, and assists in the making of "Tiny Angel Gowns" that are sent for patients in some of our local hospitals. Chris and Mike have both been active in the Animal Welfare League. As you can see, there are many people who have reason to thank God for the blessings received from the time, talnet and faith that the frantz's have so generously used for the benefit of others and for the glory of God. While the Franz's, after all these years in the Village and in our parish, question whether something they were told when they moved here is true, "stay active and you will stay young". They show themselves to still be young at heart and young in "the Spirit" to all who encounter them in their ministries/activities.

Over the last few weeks, I have received calls from well-meaning people asking me to come give their loved ones the "last rites" of the church. These were people whose loved one had not practiced their Catholic faith for awhile or in one case was too sick to come to church. I was, of course, ready to come and anoint their loved one and offer prayers that speak of God's love and concern for them in their time of sickness, which is what I did. Unfortunately, the family member called me at a point in which it was questionable whether their loved one could appreciate what God was doing for them as they neared death. Nevertheless, it was a blessing for the person who was dying to receive the sacrament, though it would have been better if they could have also gone to Confession (if they wished) and receive Viaticum, (food for the journey in the Eucharist). Though I have said it more than once, I want to implore you if you or your loved is seriously sick at home or in the hospital to give me a call so I can visit and offer them the grace and power of one or more sacraments in their time of need. Don't ever "assume" that Father Bill knows or, worse, conclude that "Fr Bill is too busy to come". Most of you know that ministry to the sick, dying (and after someone dies, the grieving spouse or family) is my number one priority as a priest after, of course, the normal celebration of the sacraments and preaching. In my ministry to the sick over the years, I have see people open to God's presence and grace at such a trying and even critical time in their life. I have witnessed both spiritual and sometimes bodily healing from sick people being anointed. I have seen a peace in the sick and in family members that says: "No matter what happens, the Lord will take care of me (or them) and never let go". Also know that if you are having any kind of surgery or procedure that is serious, that I am open to coming to you or you to the church to receive the Sacrament of Anointing. I will also consider, at the next change of season (into winter), to offer the Sacrament of Anointing for the persons I have mentioned before AND our elderly whose health is greatly diminshed and who are prone to sudden, serious and even a fatal health episode with little, if any, warning. Please note that if or when someone dies suddenly, while they cannot receive any sacrament (as the sacraments for the living) they can benefit from prayers offered soon after they die, and so, please don't hesitate to call me. I want to be there for the person who has died and the family member or members who may be in shock and are certainly in grief. If, for some reason, you are hesitant to call, please remember and take to heart the words of Jesus when he said: "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest."