Posted on December 14, 2022 View all Pastor's Letter
Dear Parishioners,
This Sunday we celebrate the third Sunday of advent also called “Gaudete” Sunday, or Joyful Sunday; we will light the third candle on the advent wreath, the rose candle. This candle is also called “shepherds candle”; the color rose is a liturgical color for joy, the priest and the deacon also wear their vestments in this color. This Sunday is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, and also to remind us that in the midst of the preparatory sacrifice for Advent there is also room for joy. It is called Joyful Sunday, in memory of the liturgies in Latin when the priest in the initial antiphon invites everyone to be joyful when as he says: “Gaudete in Domino Semper. Interumical: Gaudete. Dominus prope est” which means “Always rejoice in the Lord. I repeat: Rejoice, for He is near” (Phil.4, 4-5). May we this Sunday rejoice before all the goods and gifts that the Lord has given us- we must always have a positive attitude towards all the good and beautiful things that He gives us. Let’s look forward to celebrating Christmas in joy and peace.
Changing the subject, I want to remind you in advance that on Monday, December 19th at 7:00pm we will have our Advent Penance Service in preparation for Christmas. I invite you to come early and participate in a short meditation and examination of conscience, and then the priests will go to hear confessions; we will have some visiting priests so there is more opportunity for everyone to receive confession. I invite you to come and prepare yourself to celebrate Christmas- do not forget that we must prepare the way of the Lord and His coming.
I want to invite you to participate in the Cocktail and Auction that our school is organizing next week on Friday, December 16th from 6:00pm to 10:00 pm, in the gym. This event aims to raise funds to support the different programs we offer. Right now the school needs a lot of financial support to continue. If you wish to participate, do not hesitate to call the school to purchase a ticket. It will be a memorable night to share amongst friends and support the school. Everyone is invited, it is not necessary to have a child in school to participate. We will have music, an auction and you will have a chance to win one of the prizes that will be raffled. Don’t forget it’s Friday, December 16th starting at 6:00pm.
Finally, I would like to give a special thanks to Richard and Clarissa Sacra and all the volunteers for all the effort and sacrifice they put in throughout this year organizing our Sunday Socials every month. Every Sunday Social is a moment of meeting, sharing and above all, getting to know each other more. Each month is a different experience, we get to know each other and share many things- that is the power of a cup of coffee, the power of gathering and fraternity. Thank you for sharing and for making our parish part of your life- a place where we grow in friendship and fraternity. Next year we will continue with this beautiful tradition and I hope that many more of you will join in every first Sunday of the month.
May Jesus and Mary bless you always, I have you in my prayers.
Fr. Alex
