Happy New Year everyone!
Consider the words we pray in the Our Father…
“Thy kingdom come…thy will be done…”
“Adveniat regnum tuum…fiat voluntas tua…”
The word Advent (and it’s season) refers to the “coming towards” or “coming forward” of God’s kingdom and reign. During the season, we commemorate and focus on the first Advent of Christ (that is, His incarnation at Bethlehem), as well as His second Advent (that is, His return at the end of time).
This year, the season of Advent is a full 4-week term, ending with the Nativity of Christ on Christmas Day, which allows a longer chance to meditate on these two mysteries; Christ the Infant King born at Bethlehem, and Christ the King who reigns over all creation.
Along with the beginning of the new church year (hence the greeting at the top of the column), we are eagerly looking forward to Saturday, December 4th for St. Nick Night! Many of you have very kindly donated so many items and worked very hard to make this annual event a great success, and I for one, can’t wait to enjoy the evening! Be sure to come by the parish center at 5pm (with friends, kids, and family) to see all the great baskets, prizes, and other items being offered. I also wish to thank the many volunteers who are ready and willing to help make this a great night.
As we move later into the second week of Advent, we will be having Masses for the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, which is a holy day of obligation. Also, during the month of December, we will take up a very special collection for the Retirement Fund for the Religious. This is truly one of the most important collections since all of us (no matter what age) are deeply indebted to the hard work and sacrifices of men and women religious…please consider a generous donation for this fund.
May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved, with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.
~Fr. Martin Gallagher
Blessed Sacrament Church 