At one time in our Church's history, the season of Advent had much the same flavor as the holy season of Lent: Advent and Lent were seasons of penitence, times for intensified prayer and expanded periods of fasting, all as spiritual disciplines. Gaudete Sunday was offered as a small break from the rigors of fasting (practiced by most disciples), in order to remember that the strength of fasting comes not in itself but as a way of clearing mind and body and heart for an encounter with the God of joy, found through prayer, the word and the sacraments.
Today, the 3rd Sunday of Advent, we celebrate what has been known as Gaudete Sunday (the joyful Sunday of Advent). On Gaudete Sunday, the priests and deacons would change their penitential purple vestments for vestments with the warm glow of the color of rose.At one time in our Church's history, the season of Advent had much the same flavor as the holy season of Lent: Advent and Lent were seasons of penitence, times for intensified prayer and expanded periods of fasting, all as spiritual disciplines. Gaudete Sunday was offered as a small break from the rigors of fasting (practiced by most disciples), in order to remember that the strength of fasting comes not in itself but as a way of clearing mind and body and heart for an encounter with the God of joy, found through prayer, the word and the sacraments.
Over time, the Bishops began to see another focus for Advent; and though it still has something of the flavor of penance (in lamenting our sin and in awaiting the Lord's return), Advent is today celebrated as a season of preparation and anticipation, a time of joyful waiting. The 3rd Sunday of Advent is still called Gaudete Sunday and those parishes with rose-colored vestments still make the change of liturgical color. So on this 3rd Sunday of Advent (half way though the season), rejoice and be glad! He lives and loves and is Emmanuel.
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Months ago, many of us read the book by Matthew Kelly, entitled Rediscovering Catholicism. In that book, this lay evangelist challenged us to rediscover our baptismal call... to holiness... to abundant living. We read that book together, as part of our desire for the spiritual renewal of our parish. Let us take up the spiritual disciplines again: giving ourselves to the various forms of prayer given to the Church; accepting the physical form prayer, known in and through fasting (in moderation and in humility); hungering and thirsting for metanoia ... for a conversion of mind and heart... away from the path of sin and self-centeredness... toward the path of life and other-centeredness. This is the path of the Lord Jesus.
Join me on this path to renewal, as we confess our sinfulness and our need for God's healing mercy. Join me on the 18th of December, for our Advent Penance Service. The service begins at 7 pm that night. Let us fill the church to over-flowing... knowing that though we are broken by sin (ours and the world's)... we are redeemed by love, and that love awaits us in the person of the Lord Jesus, present in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Join with me in this act of faith in the Lord.
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Along with this call to spiritual renewal, I must remind you of our financial needs. Your regular contribution allows us to keep our fine staff together, to assist you in the work of God. Your contribution to the Archbishop's Annual Appeal helps SJN to pay our fair-share in supporting the work of our Archbishop. Your contribution to our Building a Legacy of Faith allows us to do what we are called to do: to construct a new worship space and to complete the other phases of our master-plan (as our funds grow). We do all this, for the greater glory of God and for the joy of being a member of this parish family.
AMDG
Msgr. David Talley
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Helping to fulfill the mission of the church to spread the Gospel by welcoming those interested in becoming Catholic. Sponsors needed to help newcomers, hospitality volunteers needed to help with receptions and social, team members needed to help with catechetical sessions and dismissals.