Dear Parish Family:
Welcome to a new Church Year. Welcome to the First Sunday of Advent. Welcome to the first four Sundays, in which we prepare to celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Savior and King, the Lord Jesus Christ!
The season of Advent has a twofold character. It is a time of preparation for Christmas when the first coming of God’s Son is recalled by the prophets. It is also a season when our hearts and minds are directed to Christ’s second coming at the end of time. Advent is a season of joyful and spiritual expectation. Advent is about waiting and hoping! What are you waiting for during these December days leading up to Christmas? The four weeks of Advent are not a time to pretend that Christ has not yet come in that he will be born on December 25. As Christians, we firmly believe that Jesus has already been born and come into our lives. This Advent may the revelation of Jesus Christ be revealed in all the daily circumstances of our lives. This Advent may the evil ways in our world be turned upside down! This Advent may the Goodwill in people’s hearts shine forth! This Advent, let’s pray that the world will do right by loving God and loving others!
Please scroll down to review the December calendar and avail yourselves of the opportunities to celebrate Advent and be hopeful.
Last Saturday, almost 150 people filled our Center to receive a blessing and then take the Thanksgiving gifts out to over 108 needy families in our community. Thanks to all of you who participated in any way. Thanks to Tim Clark and the MBW team for orchestrating a most successful event while also coordinating a new movement at our Lady of Refuge.
Last Saturday, yours truly stood on the sidelines cheering on our Saint Joseph’s Knights who competed in the final championship flag-football game at Salesian high school stadium just south of downtown LA. Our team reached the finals against the Saint Monica Mariners from Santa Monica. The Pastor of Saint Monica’s, my good friend Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson cheered on the Mariners. Congratulations to the Mariners who won the game. I reminded our team that they could stand proud having reached an 11-1 season. Congratulations to the girl’s A volleyball team that also reached the championship game and took home the second-place trophy. Through the years, Saint Joseph’s has produced some amazing athletes!
Enjoy the rest of this Thanksgiving weekend, and may your hearts always be filled with gratitude for the many ways in which God cares for you and your families!
Happy Advent!
Msgr. Kevin