Well, that’s the first week of Advent in the bag! Between Thanksgiving (and post-Thanksgiving recovery), my birthday (December 1), OCIA resuming, additional confession times being offered, and our Advent retreat (today – December 6), it has been a crazy week….. but what a great kind of crazy! Sure, I’m exhausted and will absolutely crash into bed tomorrow after Masses – but with no regrets!
In the Code of Canon Law, a parish is defined as ” is a certain community of the Christian faithful stably constituted in a particular church, whose pastoral care is entrusted to a pastor (parochus) as its proper pastor (pastor) under the authority of the diocesan bishop.” (CIC 515 §1) Catholic ritual celebrations almost always happen in a parish church and so we often default to confusing the parish with the church: ‘Saint X is my parish’. I wonder sometimes if it wouldn’t be more helpful for us to reframe that: ‘I’m a member of Saint X parish’. Instead of emphasizing myself and the parish as being separate things, I should be emphasizing that I make up part of the parish!
Of course, to do so makes more concrete a reality that is challenging: being a part of something implies structure, expectations, investment. Family members don’t just show up, they pitch in! Being Catholic would be a cakewalk if the only requirement was to come to Mass on Sundays and holy days. But we know better (or ought to); being Catholic is about entering into the family of Christ – and joining in the work He entrusts to us.
But when that happens, wonderful things take place. Some 100 children spent the better part of this Saturday playing together, learning about the nativity, making religious crafts, going to adoration, and even having the opportunity to go to confession. Some 15+ inquirers spent two hours learning about the Catholic faith (via the Symbolon program provided by our parish subscription to Formed.org – you can sign up for free!). All four and a half hours of confessions this week were packed with Catholics seeking to receive God’s graces and return to right relationship with the Lord. All of this and more was made possible because regular parishioners said ‘yes’ to the call to roll up their sleeves and join in the work of our parish family. I can’t help but be excited to see what happens next week!
Speaking of next week, what a week! Monday, December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a holy day of obligation, so we’re offering a whole slew of Masses across our parish family. You can find the schedule in the parish family bulletin or by browsing through the liturgy calendar here on my website. In any case, plan on coming – and consider inviting a family member, friend, or neighbor! We’re excited to honor our Blessed Mother and everyone is welcome to join the family celebration.
Friday, December 12 is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Though not a holy day of obligation, this is a major feast of the Church and an especially important celebration to our fellow parishioners from Mexico. In each region of our parish family, there will be Mass and a reception afterwards – there will also be processions in the east (Port Townsend) and central (Sequim) regions. And with our new bilingual pew missals, it is all the easier to participate even if you don’t speak Spanish. It’s going to be awesome.
So yeah, ‘tired’ is probably going to be the theme for next week’s pastor’s post too – but how good it is to be tired from working and celebrating together as a parish family. As we continue through Advent, may the Lord bless us all, that we may find not only rest but peace in drawing ever closer to Him.
Saints & celebrations
- December 1 – Saint Nahum – One of the minor prophets, whose prophecies are included in the Book of Nahum in the Old Testament. Read more at the Saint Ann Melkite Catholic Church website.
- December 2 – Saint Bibiana – I like to think that I would be willing to give my life for Christ, but would I be able to do it at the age of fifteen? Bibiana was forced to confront this question – and held fast. Read more about her at Dynamic Catholic.
- December 3 – Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier – Friend of Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier came to Christ through his witness and eventually joined him the newly formed Society of Jesus. Read about his life and ministry at Franciscan Media.
- December 4 – Saint John Damascene – Especially surrounded by so much false worship, Christians have long considered the appropriateness of prayer with images. We have Saint John Damascene to thank for much of the articulation of how we understand the goodness of icons, images, and statues. Read about him at the Marians of the Immaculate Conception website.
- December 5 – Saint Sabas – One of the early hermit monks (fourth century), this saint’s unique call was so inspired others that he had to found a monastery to direct them all! Learn about him at Loyola Press.
- December 6 – Saint Nicholas of Bari – The tradition of putting one’s shoes (or stockings!) out on this day (and others filling them with oranges) comes from the true story of the generosity of Saint Nicholas. Read about him at the Vatican News website.
(No pastor’s insert this weekend)
Priests celebrating their anniversaries this week
- Rev. Vincent J. Pastro (December 2, 1978)
- Rev. Curtiss Dwyer (December 3, 2005)
- Rev. Francis Thumbi (December 5, 1987)
Remembering our deceased priests
- Fr. Hugh Gaffney (November 30, 1984)
- Fr. Edward C. Boyle (December 1, 1987)
- Fr. Peter J. Duggan (December 2, 2010)
- Fr. Albert H. Allard (December 4, 1978)
Thank you Father for being … our father who shows up! It was great seeing you throughout the day at the children’s retreat.
One comment on your mention of our beloved Lady of Guadalupe. Yes, she has pride of place with our Mexican sisters and brothers (and gracias to them for leading the Novena and the celebration on Dec 12). But La Morenita (the little dark one) is also revered throughout Latin America. My Ecuadorean family especially had a profound love for our Blessed Mother under that title.
Praying that God grant you the grace of perseverance during this very busy holy time of year!
It was a delight to be with you all! It was an excellent day.
I’ve never heard of La Morenita, but I look forward to learning more about her! Thank you for introducing this devotion to me.