Advent

On November 28th we begin a new liturgical year in the Church. (This makes it a good day for a “New Year’s resolution.”) The season of Advent is our time to prepare spiritually for the great feast of Christmas. We often speak of the “spirit of Christmas,” and it is good that we identify the true spirit of the feast. But we cannot really enjoy the spirit of Christmas if we do not first have the spirit of Advent.

It is a time of preparation for Christ, longing for Christ, and identifying the parts of our own lives that are most in need of a greater presence of Christ. In a sense Advent represents life itself, since our entire earthly life is a preparation for eternal life with Christ.

There are numerous ways to make this a season of true preparation for the Lord. You might want to have an Advent wreath in your home, and light the appropriate candle(s) each evening during dinner. (I hope you eat dinner together as a family.) You might consider participating in weekday Mass on one or more days during the week. Contributions to charitable causes are particularly appropriate during this time, when the needs of the poor are most strongly felt. Also, the parish will be giving out Advent meditation books at the weekend Masses; I hope you will take one and use the book for daily reflection and prayer.

The pandemic has certainly heightened our sense of longing, our sense of needing help from above. That is good. Let’s enter into the spirit of Advent as fully as possible, so the spirit of Christmas may find its home in us.

Gratefully Yours,

Christ the King

On Sunday, November 21st, we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. I’m sure you’ll agree that the title of this celebration is impressive. Jesus Christ, who is our Friend, our Brother, and our Savior, is also the Incarnate Son of God and King of the Universe. His kingdom is described by one of the prayers of this Sunday’s Mass as “an eternal and universal kingdom, a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace.” We are mem- bers of this kingdom!

It would be a good meditation for us to look at our lives and ask how the qualities of Christ’s kingdom are present: truth, life, holiness, grace, justice, love, and peace. The more we cultivate these qualities, the greater is our worship of Christ, our God and King. It is also good to ask questions such as the following: Is Christ the King of my thoughts? Is Christ the King of my attitudes? Is Christ the King of my words? Is Christ the King of my actions? Our worship of Christ the King takes its value from the impact it has on our lives.

On a different note, as I was finishing this letter to you I received the sad news that our youth minister, Laura Schuberg, is leaving her position. I am very sad to see her go, and I am sure you will join me in thanking her for seven years of devoted service to the youth of our parish. Let’s offer grateful prayers for her, and also let’s pray for guidance as we search for a new youth minister. May Christ the King reward you, Laura, for your wonderful ministry in our parish!

Gratefully Yours,

Our Parish School

Recently I had the pleasure of participating in the Monarch Summit, a presenta- tion on the state of our parish school. Principal Tom Waszak (seen with me in the picture above), along with his assistant principals, gave a clear and impressive ac- count of the great condition of our school. The parents of our students were there to ask insightful questions and take in the information. I am very proud to be the pastor of a parish which has such a fine school. When I visit classrooms, there is always active learning taking place. When I celebrate Mass for our students and teachers, their participation is respectful and inspiring. When students call out to greet me when they see me outside of school, it gives me great joy. And when I interact with the school’s teachers, administrators and staff, I encounter persons with a passion for what they do.

St. Edward the Confessor parish school is an integral part of St. Edward the Confessor parish. Our parishioners, even those who do not have children in our school, are very interested in the school and eager to promote it. The school, for its part, is a big draw for people to participate in the life of our parish. As Thanksgiving Day approach- es, let’s give thanks to God for our parish and our school, and pray that they may continue to flourish together.