Dear Families, Parishioners, and Friends,
This weekend we celebrated the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday. The Latin word “gaudete” means “rejoice,” echoing St. Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near.” On this joyful Sunday, we lit the rose-colored candle on our Advent wreath, a visible reminder that our waiting is nearly over and Christ’s coming draws near.
As we journey through this holy season of preparation, we are invited to encounter Christ’s mercy through the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Numerous opportunities for individual Confession are available, with times listed in our parish bulletins. By examining our hearts and receiving God’s healing grace in this sacrament, we prepare room in our souls for the Prince of Peace. Our students in Grades 3-5 received this beautiful sacrament last Thursday, and our students in Grades 6-8 will participate in a Reconciliation Service this Thursday. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the priests who generously share their time to bring Christ’s forgiveness to our community. We encourage families to embrace this gift of God’s mercy throughout the year.
Amid the approaching hustle and bustle—the shopping, decorating, and gift-wrapping—we must remain intentional about keeping Advent at the center of our preparations. Living as Catholics in a secular culture presents challenges, especially during this season when commercialism often overshadows the sacred. Let us remember the words of John the Baptist: “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Mark 1:3). Part of that preparation means opening our hearts to those who are less fortunate in our community and throughout the world. We are deeply grateful for the generous donations collected by our second-grade students for the St. Vincent de Paul Warming Center. Your charity reflects the heart of the Gospel and fills us with profound gratitude for the compassion of our Holy Family Catholic School community.
As we conclude this week, we wish you a blessed and restful Christmas break from December 20th through January 4th. May this time with family and friends deepen your experience of Christmas’s greatest gifts: hope, joy, and above all, faith in the Incarnate Word who came to dwell among us.
Pax et bonum,
Sue Styren, M.Ed.