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Browsing From the desk of Fr. Tharp

First Sunday of Advent

From the Desk of Father Tharp

Next Week Sunday Morning Masses     December 8, 2019        Celebrant: Fr. Tharp

 

 When is a Holy Day not a day of Obligation?

This coming Sunday, the Second Sunday of Advent (December 8) is also the calendar date for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is the patronal feast for the United States.  Because the date falls on a Sunday, the Feast Day is moved to Monday.   Although we will celebrate our patronal feast day on December 9, it IS a Holyday, but it is NOT a “Holyday of OBLIGATION!”  In other words, Catholics are not “obligated” to attend Mass on that day.  Therefore, the Mass schedule on Monday, December 9 will be the regular weekday schedule of 6:30 a.m. Mass at St. Ann and 7:30 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart.  Even though it is not a day of obligation, we are not permitted to have a funeral Mass on that day.  

Job Description for Custodian/Janitor position at St. Ann

Mr. Denny Getz has been working for some time at St. Ann in the position titled Custodian, and now has been promoted from within to the Maintenance position at St. Ann.  Thus we are now looking for a custodian to fill Denny’s former position.  If interested, please see the job description posted elsewhere in this bulletin. 

Reflection on Scripture

“Therefore, stay awake!   For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”   The first three Sundays of Advent (until December 17) the Season of Advent addresses the Second Coming of the Lord.  The readings have an eschatological theme in each year of the three year cycle.  It is only in Late Advent that we begin to focus on the Birth of the Savior. 

The First Sunday of Advent begins a new liturgical year.  It seems contradictory that we would focus on the end of time at the beginning of a new year, but the intent is to cause us to recognize that we do not know the day or the hour the Lord will come.  Therefore, we should “live prepared!”   The military trains to be vigilant so as to be ready when called for service.  Athletes train so as to be ready to perform when put into the game.  So also, believers in Christ ought to prepare so as to be ready to meet the Lord on that great day of resurrection and reward.  Thus, in early Advent, we prepare for the Second Coming.

Next Weekend: Second Sunday of Advent

Is 11:1-10

Rom 154-9

Mt 3:1-12

 

Theme:  “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

 

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