Fourth Sunday of Advent

12-22-2024Letter from the PastorFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It has been a good advent, albeit a quick one, from my perspective. I think that means I am getting old. If you are traveling this week, have a safe journey and Merry Christmas! If you are in town for Christmas, I look forward to seeing you again for Christmas Mass and extending the Christmas greetings to you in person!

Over the next few days, many people have been finishing up with Christmas preparations— decorating, buying and wrapping presents, sending cards, and baking. Of course we must remember the most important preparations of all… spiritual ones.

One thing we could all pray for this week are prayers for the visitors coming to our parish. Each Christmas, our churches are filled with visitors who come to pray before the Manger, go to confession, and experience the beauty of the Catholic liturgy. Some of these men and women are not Catholic; others do not practice the Faith regularly. Some are estranged from the Church, angry at her teachings, hurt by her representatives; a larger number simply live their lives as if the Church had no place in their lives, no bearing on their lifestyles, careers, and choices--except at Christmas. I am also aware that some of these people are in our own families—our parents, our children, our siblings. I think its important for us to have some simple messages this Christmas to encourage our loved ones to make this Christmas a turning point in the ways of faith. Messages like:

  • You are welcome!
  • The door of your local Catholic church is open to you.
  • Whatever your circumstances, however much time has passed since your last visit to a church, there is a place for you.
  • If you are feeling afraid or apprehensive, there is no need to be. God loves you and His mercy endures forever.
  • God is extending a personal invitation to you. God desires you to be a part of His family.
  • The message of Jesus is about the unconditional love of God and His mercy, forgiveness, and healing for those who seek Him with a humble and contrite heart.
  • The Church acknowledges that wayward and confused Catholics, including clergy and religious, may have hurt people in the past. There are very good Catholics, including priests and religious, who are ready to listen to you and your story. We are sorry for the harm done to you. The Church continues to learn from her mistakes. The Church has heard the cry of the poor. If you’ve been away for a long time, come and see for yourself.
  • Jesus is Lord and He is bigger than our sins. Come and be healed and find the peace that only God can give.

Let us pray that this Christmas season will be a time for spiritual renewal for the human family. The Mass schedule for the week of December 24th /25th is as follows: There is a 5:00pm Christmas Eve Mass on Tuesday, December 24th offered in the Church and a 5:15pm overflow Mass offered in the gym. There is also an 11:00pm Christmas Eve Mass in the Church. The Masses on Christmas Day will be on Wednesday, December 25th at 8:00am and 10:00am. There is no 5:00pm Mass on Christmas Day.

God Bless,

Fr. Don Kline

BACK TO LIST