The season of Advent begins today. The tone of our worship changes to hope and anticipation. I hope that we can all drink deeply of this beautiful season. The struggle to find outward support for our inner spiritual journey has already begun, of course. To survive the incessant shopping ads we see on TV now, we must make the extra effort to focus on the message of hope. We won't sing the Gloria during Advent, a signal that this season calls us to simplify and slim down our life.
Let me encourage you again to attend our Advent Taize service this Sunday evening at 6pm in the church. This is the perfect night to replace that annoying Christmas jingle with a memorable and singable melody more fitting for the Advent season. Come and begin the Advent season in uplifting prayer. Thanks to Steve and our choir for the extra practices they have done!
Something special began on November 29th. The Catholic Church has dedicated the next twelve months as a Year of consecrated life. Activities will focus on sharing experiences of prayer, service and community life with those living a consecrated life, those who have taken the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and who live in community with one another. Fr. Jeremy will write a monthly column for our bulletin on religious life too.
Looking ahead: a week from this Monday is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. It is a holy day of obligation. We will have our regular noon mass (likely to be very crowded, as well as a 7pm evening mass.