Fr. Craig’s Contemplations Hello Friends,
For the Third Sunday of Advent, we hear people pondering-was John the Baptist, the Christ? John makes it clear, no he isn’t. One mightier than he is to come, who will baptize in the power of the Holy Spirit. Msgr. Romano Guardini, in his work The Lord, writes in the fourth chapter of his great book, titled “The forerunner” … “John [the Baptist] has been called to a great and difficult destiny. The hand of the Lord has placed him in the midst of solitude, far removed from all that ordinarily comprises human life. Msgr. Guardini continues, [like all the other prophets before] … John is the one, the last of the line [of the prophets] … who will be a witness to the ‘fulness of time.’ John the Baptist, is the one privileged to say: ‘Behold, the lamb of God’, see, over there, that is He!” John the Baptist, is challenging those living 2,000 years ago and us today, to “make ready the way of the Lord.” And so, we too in this great time of preparation, ask the Lord in our prayers, how am I making ready the way of the Lord? In prayer, consider, do I allow Jesus’ love to be in my heart? Do I allow Him [Jesus] to think with my mind, to speak from my mouth and work from my hands? Indeed as St. Paul writes to the Philippians, “The Lord is near.”
May God Bless you, Fr. Craig
READINGS FOR DECEMBER 12, 2021
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
1st Reading—Zephaniah 3: 14-18a—Be joyful, Jerusalem! The Lord will come and save you from your enemies. Do not be discouraged or lose heart, for “the Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior.”
Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12: 2-3, 4, 5-6— “Cry out with joy and gladness, for the Lord is in your midst, the holy one of Israel, cry out, cry out with joy.”
2nd Reading—Philippians 4: 4-7—“Rejoice in the Lord always,” wrote Paul. “I say it again: rejoice! The Lord is near. Make your requests known to God’ then the peace of God surpasses understanding will guard your hearts and minds.”
Gospel Acclamation—Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. Aleluia.” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Gospel—Luke 3: 10-18—John the Baptizer said to the crowds, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” In that way he preached good news to the people.
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
1) Let us pray for the Church: God, fill our hearts with the peace which surpasses all understanding. Lead your people into joy in this holy season. 2) Let us pray for God's own peace: God of every land and nation, help people be at peace with each other. Let justice flourish in our own time and wars cease. 3) Let us pray for those with too little: Lord Jesus, you came to live among us as one who was poor. May the rich give to those who have nothing, and all of us share bread with the hungry. 4) Let us pray for those burdened with physical or mental illness: Healing God, lift up those who are depressed or filled with pain. Enfold in your love our sick brothers and sisters – Betty Morici Dustin Zernec Kirk McCoy Marge Park Chuck Marteney Ruthie Reid Pam Allen Marty Levin Bob Mihos Dominic Vrbanec Jacob Boesch And for all who have asked for our prayers. We pray to the Lord… 5) Let us remember the dead: Eternal and Merciful Father, may our loved ones rejoice forever in your presence, especially – (5:00 Mass) John Persky, Pat Fabean, Edward & Mary Siring, Polly and Albert Thompson (8:30 Mass) Cheryl Ann Quisenberry, John Jacobs (10:30 Mass) Pedro Lopez, Milio Legaspi We pray to the Lord…
ANNOUNCEMENTS December 12, 2021
On Tuesday evening at 7:00, we will celebrate a Communal Penance Service here with the opportunity for private confessions. All are invited to come and use this beautiful sacrament as a preparation for the Christmas.
The Quilting and Craft group will meet next Saturday, December 18 in Solanus Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Our Parish Christmas Concert is next Sunday, December 19th at 12 p.m. We invite all to come and enjoy and sing with us!
The children’s choir will practice on Sunday, in the church, after the 10:30 Mass.
This year we have Christmas Oplatki (O-Pwa-tek) wafers available. They will be in the gathering area next weekend.
We will be giving the church a good cleaning for Christmas on Friday, December 17th after the 9 a.m. Mass
All Christmas gift cards and gifts are due this Sunday, December 12th. There will be someone in the gathering area to accept your donations after Mass. Please make sure the tag is on the gift or gift card.