J.M.J.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“John answered them, ‘I baptize with water; but there is One among you Whom you do not recognize, the One Who is coming after me, Whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.’”
Saint John the Baptist knew well his identity—his “standing”—before Our Lord.
Where do I stand before Jesus the Messiah? Where do you stand before Christ?
*Such happy news from Tuesday, the
Feast of Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception: Pope Francis has declared this Year
the Year of Saint Joseph. The Foster-father of Jesus, the Chaste Spouse of Mary
and the Patron of the Universal Church, Saint Joseph is our
spiritual father, friend and inspiration. Saint Joseph, pray for us!
*Let
us pray for +Karolyn Kirchgesler, +Lucille Von Wald, +Anton Materi, +Jerry
Martin, +Dallas Gefre, Donna Squires, Dennis Maiers, Kathy
Engerbrecht, Teresa Louise, Ione Allerdings, G. W. Rutler, Gertrude
Therese Margaret, Heather Marie, Ashley Gonzalez, Maureen Donohue, Father David
Janes, Father Dana Christensen, Father Antonio Ramos and Father Charles
Duman.
*The use of masks during Mass is highly recommended as a safety measure
for oneself and for those who are nearby.
*Please take advantage this week of the opportunity for Confession and
Mass. It is a huge blessing and a great grace to go to Confession before
Christmas Day. If the times for Confession do not work for you, then please
call Monsignor Mangan (605 521-0175).
“What
is Your Question?”
By
Father Ben Miriam
Q. When did the Season of Advent
first appear on the Liturgical Calendar?
A. The Reverend Francis Mershman
(1852-1916) wrote: “It cannot be determined with any degree of
certainty when the celebration of Advent was first introduced into the
Church. The preparation for the feast of the Nativity of Our Lord was
not held before the feast itself existed, and of this we find no evidence
before the end of the fourth century, when, according to Duchesne [Christian
Worship (London, 1904), 260], it was celebrated throughout the whole Church, by
some on 25 December, by others on 6 January. Of such a preparation we read in
the Acts of a synod held at Saragossa in 380, whose fourth canon
prescribes that from the seventeenth of December to the feast of the Epiphany
no one should be permitted to absent himself from church.”
---
Monday, December 14th
Confessions, 6:30-7:15 p.m., Saint Stephen Church, Bridgewater
Wednesday, December 16th
Confessions, 5:45-6:15 p.m., Saint Mary of Mercy Church, Alexandria
The Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary, 6:30 p.m., Saint Mary of Mercy Church, Alexandria
Thursday, December 17th
Confessions, 6:30-7:15 p.m., Saint Martin of Tours Church, Emery
Sunday, December 19th
9:15 a.m. Confessions, Saint Martin of Tours Church, Emery
3:15 p.m. Monastery, per usual
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