Dear Parishioners,

This Sunday we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent, otherwise known as Gaudete (“rejoice”) Sunday, or the Sunday we light the pink candle. We celebrate this Sunday rejoicing that the Lord is near, particularly in the celebration of Christmas.

Of course, there is so much for us to celebrate as we prepare for the feast of the Lord’s Incarnation. Wecelebrate that He came among us so long ago, that He is among us even now, and that He will come again.

It is with this spirit of rejoicing at the coming of the Lord that we are all called to approach the solemn feastof Christmas. Remembering the joy of Christ, rejoicing in our daily prayer. Remembering the joy of Christ, rejoicing when we are with family and friends during holiday get togethers. Remembering the joy of Christ, rejoicing when we gather to worship Him on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

In my experience, Christmas masses are often super-crowded, and I imagine that they will be in our three churches once again this year. For some or even many of us, such crowds can be difficult, especially when trying to get a spot to park or sit and when trying to find some peace in which to turn our hearts to the Lord on such an important feast. This can make it difficult for us to be joyful, not to mention patient and even kind to others.

As we prepare for Christmas this year, and particularly as we prepare for the crowds at our masses, I would suggest that this is precisely the time for us to be a people of rejoicing. Some of our many guests may come to us on Christmas searching for meaning or comfort or hope. Our joy at welcoming them reflects the joy of the shepherds on that first Christmas and can become an indispensable work of evangelization.

So, this Christmas let us rejoice that Jesus is with us and let us remember that our joy in Him has to power to bring others to Him.

Have a blessed week!

Fr. Jim Theby