Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Heart of the Shepherd” Pledge Weekend
Thank you to those who attended the Mass for Vocations and Reception on November 18.  At the time of this writing due to the early generosity of a number of parishioners, we have already made our goal of $165,000 in pledges!  65% of that ($107,000) is returning to the parish for local projects.  But there is more!  With the pledge weekend coming up, any parishioners who have not yet pledged can help us exceed our goal, which means 80% of your pledge comes back to the parish!  I am so thankful for the great generosity of our folks choosing to support the future of priestly vocations in our diocese. More details will be given at Masses this weekend, and feel free to call me with any questions.

New Organ Will be Heard Soon
At the time of this writing, the new Allen organ is being delivered and installed in the church. This organ, the cost of which was covered by a generous parishioner, has not been heard at Mass yet.  There are a couple reasons why this is case.  First is that an instrument like this is not something ones just drops off ready to play.  It takes installation as well, of voicing and balancing of the sound.  This takes some time.  Second, since the organ is the Church’s primary and preferred instrument for use in the Liturgy, it needs to be officially blessed before it is used at Mass.  Ideally the bishop blesses the organ, but we would be waiting a whole additional year before he can get here.  So, I will bless the organ next weekend, Gaudete Sunday.  But in the meantime, we have been singing hymns and the Mass parts a cappella.  It will be appropriate to bless and then use the organ on Gaudete Sunday as we rejoice in our continued prayer and penance as we prepare to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord.  Thank you to our music director, Heidi, and her organ committee that has led us

Ad Orientem through Advent
The past couple of years we have highlighted a particular liturgical gesture at Mass during the Advent season.  You may remember that “ad orientem” means “toward the East.”  It refers to the orientation of our worship of God at Mass.  One of the dimensions of the celebration is of course how Christ is present in the midst of the community that He has assembled.  Another dimension of our worship is not just the present moment but the coming of Christ at the final judgement, the end of time, when He will make a new heaven and a new earth.  The early Christians literally looked east in their prayer at Mass as a liturgical way of anticipating the Son of God who will come again like the sun rising in the east.  While in the past churches were built to face east highlighting this liturgical gesture, that is not always literally the case.  Whether literally east or not, the symbolic point is still apparent when for certain parts of the Mass the priest faces the same direction as the people so all are looking toward God together.

I grant that this liturgical option is not used as much in our current context, and I am aware of some folks who find this way of praying difficult. Yet there are many who find it helpful in their worship, thus we celebrate this option on certain occasions or seasons. My hope is that this practice helps us appreciate the full tradition of our catholic worship.  As always feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions.

Confessions Schedule for Advent
In addition to our regular parish confession schedule, our parish cluster will host confession nights.  These three nights will have all the priests from the cluster at one parish to hear confessions. The schedule is Tuesdays from 5-6pm on the following dates:
December14 @ St. Francis de Sales
December  21 @ Queen of Heaven
If it has been a while since you have been to confession, take courage! Just go! If you are unable to make these times or are concerned about health, please call me and we can make arrangements for me to come to you.

Immaculate Conception Holy Day Schedule - December 8
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a holy day of obligation.  One must participate at Mass unless they are legitimately impeded. Our schedule is
Vigil Mass Tuesday December 7 at 6pm (Ordinary Form)
Wednesday December 8 at 8:30am (Ordinary Form)
Wednesday December 8 at 6pm (Extraordinary Form)

“Rorate Caeli” Mass
We will have a “Rorate Caeli” Mass on Saturday morning December 11. This is the traditional Mass in honor of our Lady, lit by candlelight in the early morning.  We have celebrated this the past couple of years and it is quite beautiful.  The symbolism echoes what was said above regarding “Ad orientem” with this Mass starting before the sun rises with only candles lighting the sanctuary.  By the time Mass is finishing the sun has begun to enlighten the church space showing forth how our Lady brings the Son, Christ, into the world.  The Mass will begin at 7am.

Christmas Mass Schedule
This year Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, which makes things interesting.  Christmas Eve is a Friday thus the regular 4pm Confessions and 5:30 Mass are canceled.  Masses will be:
Christmas Vigil (Ordinary Form) at 4pm on December 24
Midnight Mass (Extraordinary Form)
Christmas Day (Ordinary Form) at 10am

As per instruction from the diocese, there will NOT be Saturday evening confessions or Mass on Dec. 25.
Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Pfr