 Fr.
Tom's Tomes December 18, 2005
Christmas is almost here. The Season of Advent is swiftly passing us by. As we celebrate the last Sunday of the Advent Season we should stop and take a few minutes out of our busy schedules to evaluate how we have come closer to God during this Season of Advent. Are we more prepared to meet Jesus face to face and to celebrate his birthday today than we were at the beginning of Advent? Only each one of us can answer that question. Advent is a time to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is a time to go to confession so we are spiritually ready for Christmas. In order to allow more opportunities for receiving the forgiveness of Christ on Monday evening, December 19, 2005 from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm I will be available for confessions in Church. Also on Wednesday evening from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm I will be available in Church for confessions. On Saturday, December 24, 2005 since the first Mass time is earlier I will be available for confessions in Church from Noon until 1 pm. The Sacrament of Penance, Confession, is such a powerful and peaceful sacrament. Through this sacrament we experience the forgiveness of God’s love and receive a peace only God can give. We stray away from God for many reasons and this sacrament allows us to return to God’s presence quietly and peacefully. If you have not received the Sacrament of Penance yet during the Season of Advent these times will present an opportunity for you to go. If it has been a long time since you have been to confession ask the Holy Spirit to give you strength to come and seek God’s forgiveness and peace. Next weekend is Christmas. A reminder the Mass times for the weekend are different than a normal weekend. There will be Masses on Saturday, December 24, at 5:00 pm and 12:00 Midnight, and again on Sunday morning at 9:00 am. Christmas is a time to come to church with your family. I would ask you that if someone in your family does not actively attend Church or has fallen away from the Catholic faith invite them to come with you. This may be the invitation they need to return to actively practicing their faith. If you know someone who does not have a Church they belong too invite them to come. Christmas is a time for all of us to be aware of those around us who do not go to Church to issue a special invitation to come and share in prayer with us. I am looking forward to celebrating my first Christmas here at St. Columban. Christmas and Easter are two very important times in the year for prayer. In my experience of priesthood I have not had a Midnight Mass before that I can remember when we began at Midnight. It is my understanding this is a very beautiful Mass. Being new everything I do is for the first time and I do look forward to the seasons of the Church’s year and the sacraments here at St. Columban. My hope is to be here for many years to come. God bless you and may the Holy Spirit lead you to a peace filled Christmas Season. |