December 22, 2024

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sunday Readings →

Bethlehem was a town easily overlooked: too small, writes Micah, to be counted among the twelve tribes of Israel. Overlooked, just as its most famous son up to this point—David—was when he was working in the fields while Samuel greeted Jesse's older sons. Mary was a "lowly servant" (Luke 1:48) from an even more remote town—Nazareth—when God sent Gabriel to announce the momentous news. Yet God chose Mary to bear the Son of God and Bethlehem to be the place of his birth. We ourselves may feel lowly and insignificant, but we aren't to God. God chooses each and every one of us to become a dwelling place of God. Years before Jesus used the words, "Blessed are you," repeatedly in order to preach the beatitudes, Elizabeth showered Mary with these words, for she recognized that God was with her cousin in a special way. In a sense, she is anticipating God's blessings upon the poor and lowly of the world. In the days before texting or social media, or even telephones, how could Elizabeth have known Mary's momentous news? Luke may provide a hint. Note that he writes that as soon as Mary entered her house, Elizabeth was "filled with the Holy Spirit," leading her to shower Mary with blessings (Luke 1:41). As we have been filled with the Holy Spirit since we were baptized, we too have the power to recognize the Lord in others. But do we? Consider the way both Elizabeth and her unborn son reacted when they first encountered Jesus, though he was still in Mary's womb. Elizabeth cried out with praise and John did somersaults in his mother's womb. Is that how we react when we encounter Jesus in the Eucharist, in our assembly, or in each other? Probably not, but maybe inside we would if we took the time to realize how close he is.

RECTORY HOLIDAY HOURS

The office will be closed on Dec. 24, 25 & 26, 2024 for the Christmas Holidays. Merry Christmas & Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia!!!

CHRISTMAS DAY

In the beginning, we are told in Genesis, God created the heavens and the earth. Today we hear John say that also in the beginning there was the Word and that all that was created came to be through him. Today we celebrate the day when the Word became flesh, when the Word made his dwelling with us. Vitally, Jesus is still dwelling with us now: in the least of our sisters and brothers, among us as we gather together, in the Eucharist that we will receive, and in each one of us as we go out to celebrate his birth. May he never be far from our hearts and minds as we give witness of his presence to the world.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR 2025

The Parish Office is accepting 2025 Mass Intentions. We will continue using the same process implemented previously. Forms are in back of the Church and on our website

Remember Our Sick Parishioners In Your Prayers

Anna Burzawa, Dylan Cascno, Tim Cicon, Sr., Mark Cicon, Dorothy Dominski, Bartoszek Dudek, Zenon Dzięgielewski, Sabina Dziewięcka, Helen Jamieson, Charles Kowalski, Sue Lynch, Adam Matusz, Marie Niwore, Dan Piestor, Lucy Siemientkowski, Anthony Sikora, Pat Sikorski, Diane Silver, Joseph P. Strycharz, Kelly Ann Strycharz

Please call the Rectory Office to add or remove names from the list.