TranslateSearch
Fourth Sunday of Advent · Bishop O’Connell’s message for Advent & Christmas · Chancery holiday hours
-
December 22, 2024THE WORD “ADVENT” COMES FROM THE LATIN TERM ADVENTUS, literally meaning “coming to.” The four weeks of the season of Advent before Christmas create a unique season of hope-filled preparation for all of us in the Catholic Christian community — although it can easily be missed by society at large as simply an extended, early celebration of Christmas. True enough, Christ has come, and we should rejoice in his Incarnation every day of our lives. But Advent gives us all time for a prayerful “retelling” of the story of the “Hope of Israel.” We prepare ourselves for the commemoration of Christ’s coming in history in Bethlehem, his coming in mystery each day in the Church and the sacraments, and his coming in majesty at the end of time.
Our disposition and expectation as individual Catholics, as individual believers, truly influence and model the way in which our fellow parishioners as “communities of believers” look at Advent and incorporate its hope and excitement into their lives as Christmas approaches. The images of Isaiah, John the Baptist, and Mary figure so prominently in the Scriptures we read and hear during these few, fast weeks. And whether “in person” at Church or online, we need to let the Word sink deeply into our minds, hearts and souls. The hymns we have always sung and the Mass prayers we pray all fix our attention in faith upon the One who has come, is coming and is yet to come, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is all about him, everything we are and everything we do as Catholics. We make every day an anticipation for yet another, more profound, more transforming revelation. Although we have heard and sung and prayed the Advent message many times before, a pause, some quiet time of prayer, the celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation all go a long way to “make all things new” … again … although the Advent and Christmas story are as old as the Church itself.
Read Bishop O'Connell's message HERE.
IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ORDINARY HOLY YEAR THAT THE CHURCH WILL BEGIN celebrating at Christmas this year, our Holy Father has chosen as its theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” In his 2022 letter announcing the 2025 Holy Year, Pope Francis wrote: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire.”
The theme and message of the upcoming Holy Year are quite profound and timely as we begin the Advent and Christmas seasons again this year.
Read the full message HERE.
THE CHANCERY IN LAWRENCEVILLE will be closed Monday, December 23 through Friday, December 27 for the Christmas holiday.
