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

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

Christmas Schedule:
December 24
            4pm Vigil - Ord. Form - Livestreamed
            10pm Mass at Night - Ord. Form
December 25
            Midnight Mass - Extra. Form - Livestreamed
            11am - Ord. Form
            note that the regular Friday night confessions and Mass is canceled.

I know we are looking forward to Christmas, but it is still Advent for a few more days.  We want to keep Advent in the fullest way we can so that we can keep Christmas the way it is meant to be.  To help with this, I am printing part of an article written by Monsignor Charles Pope of the Archdiocese of Washington D.C. He has a great blog you can check out. Here is part of of his Advent reflection:

“Remember, Repent, Rehearse – All these reflections help to place Advent in proper perspective for us. We are called to remember, repent and rehearse. We remember that Christ has already come and that he has called us to the obedience of faith and promised he will return in glory. We repent of whatever hinders our readiness for that day. And we rehearse for his second coming in glory by anticipating its demands and celebrating the glory that comes to those whom he finds watchful and ready. In a sense every Mass is a dress rehearsal for the glory of the kingdom. At every mass the following prayer is said, Deliver us Lord from every evil and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy, keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety, as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ. This beautiful prayer recalls that it is entirely God’s work that we be ready for his glorious return. Only he can deliver us, free us from our sin and remove anxiety about that day. Only he can give us joy and make us holy. We have but to yield to his saving work.”

Last Advent Confession Opportunities
Normally our cluster parishes have a penance service in Advent to provide a communal opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Due to Covid we are changing it up a bit.  We are simply spreading out between the parishes.  The next and final opportunity for confession is:

December 22 @ St. Francis de Sales, Akron.   From 4-6pm

Decorations
This year you may notice that some of our regular Advent and Christmas decorations are a little simpler. Every year it takes a lot of work and a lot of people to decorate our Narthex and Church.  Due to covid it is just more difficult to do.  It is bad enough Covid took Easter from us, but we are going to celebrate Christmas still as best we can.  It will be still be beautiful and help us to give God glory as we continue to weather the storm.  Thank you to everyone who helped us prepare the church, thank you to our decorators, sacristans, musicians, servers, ushers, and everyone who participates whether at the church or at home.  Keep praying that one day we can finally have everyone back together again around the altar of the Lord.

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr