December 1, 2024

With the Feast of Christ the King to crown the end of the Church Year, we traverse into the new Church Year with the First Sunday of Advent this Sunday. To most people in the Church and the secular world, Advent is the time to prepare for Christmas. Much hurried and frenzied activity goes into these preparations so that, by the time Christmas comes, one hardly has the energy left to actually celebrate the feast.  

As the Church begins Advent, she takes us on a different course. The season begins with ominous messages of judgement and the last things, yet at the same time tells us to rejoice, for our redemption is near at hand. In other words, death and judgement need not be an ominous thing if we prepare for it properly. Thus, Advent 2024 for us is a time to prepare ourselves spiritually not only for Christmas, which is important, but when Christ will come to us both at the end of our lives and at the end of time.  

Let us accept the invitation and challenge that Mother Church offers us to prepare both spiritually and temporally for Christ's coming, both at Christmas and at the end of time. Make every effort to make it to Mass, not only on Sunday, but maybe during the week as well. Take advantage of the times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). Remember: if we put our spiritual lives first, everything will fall into place and there will be time for all we need to do.  

Assumption Music Ministry cordially invites you to a Festival of Lessons and Carols to help get us in the spirit of the season. The Lessons and Carols will be on Saturday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. in church followed by refreshments in the Fellowship Room. Come and prepare yourselves for Christmas with song, prayer and fellowship.