South Western Newton and Benton Co. Pastorate

Dear Parishioners, Today will begin the season of Advent. The word “Advent” means “arrival”. The Church actually speaks of 3 arrivals of Christ. We think of His arrival as God made human in the past, we think of His future coming in glory and we think of His coming to us every day in the people and events of our lives. During the 1st part of Advent from today until December 17th we focus on that future coming of Christ. What we sometimes call the end of the world. Only on December 17th does the Church’s focus shift to the coming of Christ in time, what we celebrate at Christmas. This change is most obvious in the use of what are called the “O, antiphons” which are used during Evening Prayer. These antiphons are probably most familiar to many of us because they form the verses for the familiar Advent song “O come O come Emanuel”. We prepare to welcome Christ with joy when He comes in glory by welcoming Him every day. I am well aware that what the Church is asking us to do during these days is far different from what our society is doing. Nonetheless, I hope that we can make an effort to take Advent seriously as a time to prepare to welcome Christ with joy. Even though Advent is not a penitential season as Lent is, still celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation can be a wonderful way to help with this preparation. Therefore, in addition to our normally scheduled times for confession, we will have 2 communal penance services on Tuesday December 15th. One will be at 1:00 pm at Sacred Heart, and the other at 7:00 pm at St. Patrick’s. Several priests from our deanery will be here to help with these services. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to prepare for the coming of Christ. Fr. Richard Weisenberger