Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas. In 2023, Advent begins on Sunday, 3 December and the Season ends on Sunday, 24 December. The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time AND to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas.

Today’s gospel parable uses imagery and titles from the time when Christ spoke to the people of the ancient world. For some today, it may seem outdated and therefore dismissed as not applicable. However, if we view it with eyes of faith and an open mind, we can come to understand its power for our lives in 2023.Perhaps the main theme is this: if God knows me by words and deeds of my life, what will He think of me? Do I live out His Commands:

Our gospel this weekend, from Matthew (23:1-12) ends with the following statement "The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whomever humbled himself will be exalted" The gospel's ending asks us to consider the style of leadership that Jesus employed during His earthly life.

Some interesting Catholic-specific statistics from CARA, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, at Georgetown University illustrates the impact of fading Catholic influence in the United States. In addition, it calls us to a greater need for a “new and improved” mode of communicating the eternal-life saving messages of the Church.

A Teaching Mass Over the next few months, I will use three Specific Masses to teach the finer points of the Mass: what are we saying at Mass, what is the meaning and purpose of the words of the Mass, and what is actually happening at specific points of the Mass. These three Masses one Saturday Vigil, one 8 a.m. Mass, and one 11 a.m. Mass which have been slated as Faith Formation class Masses, will be offered so that we all have a better understanding of just what we are doing at the Mass. You know the saying, "The more you know...the more you participate".

This Sunday, November 5 at our 11 a.m. Mass, our parish will remember the Faithfully Departed all those who were buried from our parish from November 2022 through October 2023 in a brief ceremony following the homily. We will read the names of the faithfully departed, toll a bell, and incense the Book of the Dead placed upon our altar.

Annually, during the month of October, The Church observes and celebrates World Mission Day. This year our annual worldwide Eucharistic celebration for the Missions and missionaries of the world will be held on the weekend of October 21st-22nd. Pope Francis chose a theme inspired by the story of the disciples on their way to Emmaus, in the Gospel of Luke (cf. 24:13-35): "Hearts on fire, feet on the move"

Again, this weekend there is an array of choices in our gospel parable: shall we refuse a direct, personal invitation to God’s wedding feast, or will we be uncaring or indifferent in our choices by putting something else (work, spots or a comfortable Sunday morning) as a priority above the invitation to know God? Will we finally become so obtuse that we shall choose evil as our response to His ongoing invitation?

I have chosen you from the world to bear fruit! I added the exclamation point. Today’s parable closes out last week’s parable of the two sons—one who was open to God’s call—by way of a slow conversion. The other son said, “Sure, dad, I will do Your Will” but then goes back to his own indifference—nothingness.

In this 26th week of Ordinal Time, the Gospel of Matthew presents a parable and asks for “your opinion” on the topic of openness to God’s Will in the lives of two sons. This same question should be asked of ourselves—“Am I open to doing God’s Will in my life?” On the other hand, is God’s Will too inconvenient or too stressful for me in today’s world? Will it cause someone in my family or circle of friends to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed or will it cause a rift in our friendship? Will people think I am weird or fanatical if I do God’s Will in my life?

In order to keep the momentum of the spirit alive and flourishing, we need to build upon our spirit and lead us all deeper into the Truth of Christ, which ultimately brings Joy to all who Hope, Trust and Act in the Lord. And thanks to the many, many donors to our Forward with Faith campaign a number of years ago—and to all who have remained loyal to the campaign commitments, we are able now to truly add more “meat” to the spirit of our community.

(A storytime for young children ages 3-8) Saturday, September 23, 6 p.m. in Russell Hall This year, youth ministry has started a new program to have our teens engage with the younger children in our parish. Our youth ministry teens are great role models for our younger children, and the children in our parish look up to them. Once a month through December, youth ministry is piloting a program called Once Upon A Book. Our first program is Saturday, September 23, immediately following the 5 pm Mass.

Our gospel today has a powerful message, which our world certainly needs to hear today. We could simply interpret this gospel to say, in our current national climate, that we may not all agree on something, but we do not have to become enemies. The goal of “communal living” and the goal of the Christian faith is to respect one another in the midst of differing opinions.

We will be reintroducing the Precious Blood to our Holy Communion Ritual during the weekend Masses beginning at the end of September, when the next schedule for Eucharistic Ministers is rolled out. The schedule takes effect on September 30th.

Pity, condemnation, or just persevering petitions. Could you imagine Jesus saying these words in 21st century USA: "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." Cancel culture would be on Him ‘like white-on-rice’! Now while I am not much of an animal person, this statement is not about humans versus animals.

The gospel today speaks to us about a parable of a garden, the sower of good seeds and weeds in and amongst his crops. An invasion of “weeds,” those things that I had not intended to plant nor want in my garden. I am sure we all have planted things—flowers and vegetables—that have been invaded by the weeds of the garden. It is a part of life.

To “evangelize” means to bring the love, purpose and meaning of God to someone’s existence. Now, some of us may say, “How can I do that? I don’t have the knowledge to speak eloquently about the Church and our faith?” Well, to be clear and to the point, St. Francis of Assisi said it best, “Speak often and sometimes use words!” Briefly, the way we live our faith in-and-through our daily lives is the best teaching tool.

Fr. Tad, as he is known, spoke here at St Catherine of Siena during the second term of the Obama Administration on the issue of universal healthcare. He was part of a 3-person panel. Fr. Tad is a well respected Catholic educator and I found the article interesting in that ‘blame’ is not heaped on the parents or the children, but on society, which used to hold to traditions and accountability—all seeking the excellence of the common good. Enjoy the common sense, which Mark Twain noted was “…very uncommon.” —Fr. Michael

In the midst of all the business of everyday life—jobs, volunteerism, sports and the rush of the modern world—it is wonderfully relaxing to participate in God’s Love for His creation. That we are His, that He Loves us, and that He has plans for us to be One with Him for all Eternity. God’s Love is unconditional. Even when we fail, He still loves us and that Love is meant to see the excellence of our lives—Eternal Joy. That truly makes one wonder why there are people who choose not to know Him and not to follow Him.