Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Happy New (Church) Year! Each Advent, we disciples begin a new liturgical year. Our Lectionary Cycle (i.e., the Sunday Gospel readings) changes to Year C, which means most of our Gospel readings this year will come from the Gospel according to St. Luke. Luke was a physician by trade who did not grow up in the Jewish faith. He was a Gentile converted to Christianity and became a companion of St. Paul. In addition to composing his Gospel account, Saint Luke also wrote the Acts of the Apostles, a sort-of “sequel” to his Gospel. Although St. Paul wrote more books, Luke’s two contributions are long enough that they actually make up a greater percentage of the New Testament (about 24%) than those of any other author. Because of his emphasis on the Virgin Mary and women in general, St. Luke has been called the “Marian Gospel” and the “Gospel of women.” Luke is also known to emphasize Jesus’ love of the poor and sick. His Gospel has additionally been called the “Gospel of mercy” and the “Gospel of forgiveness.” Pay special attention to these attributes as we make our way through Luke’s amazing Gospel.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Be thankful: This Thursday, November 25, we will have a special Mass at 9:00am in the church for Thanksgiving Day. (Note that there will be no confessions nor a 5:30pm Mass this day.) As is our custom, a collection will be taken up at this Mass, all of which will go to benefit the poor and those in need.

Today, we “crown” our liturgical year with this Solemnity of Jesus Christ the King. Next Sunday is the 1st Sunday of Advent and a new liturgical year – Year C in the Lectionary cycle. During Year C, most of the Sunday Gospels will come from St. Luke. Advent marks the perfect time to make a new spiritual beginning with new spiritual resolutions. Begin with real, concrete, dedicated time for prayer. Everything else will flow from that.

Blessed Gabriele Allegra: “[St. Joseph] is truly the saint who carried out his duty in silence but with angelic fervor.”

To think about: It’s often hard to just do our job, or our chores, quietly without wanting to be noticed or thanked. It can also be hard to do all our daily, monotonous chores with fervor. We are called to offer all our actions to Our Lord throughout the day. Keeping that in mind should help us do our best in everything, as a gift to the Lord.

St. John Paul II: “In Joseph, the apparent tension between the active and contemplative life finds its ideal harmony that is only possible for those who possess the perfection of charity.”

To think about: How well do we navigate between our active and the contemplative life? It is important to spend quiet time alone with the Lord daily, but our modern life often makes it difficult to quiet our minds and schedule this important prayer time.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Please note that beginning the 1st Sunday of Advent (November 28), the time for the Mass in Spanish will move from 12:30pm to 1:00pm. This will ease the “pressure” of the transition between Masses and give more time for confessions and the holy rosary before Mass.

Pope Benedict XVI: “Saint Joseph was the spouse of Mary. In the same way, each father sees himself entrusted with the mystery of womanhood through his wife.”

Something to think about: “the mystery of womanhood”… We probably realize that in the Holy Family, each member was aware of the mystery of the other. In our own lives, we should also try to become aware of the mystery of each of our loved ones. As we get to know each other in marriage and in the family, over the years, we should always be getting to know each other in a deeper way, and learning new things about the mystery of the other.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For 2,000 years, the Catholic Church has learned how to lovingly and respectfully say goodbye to our dearly departed loved ones. Together with our Jewish roots, the Church truly knows how to help people grieve. Remember, it’s ok to mourn. Even Jesus wept at the death of His friend, Lazarus. (See John 11:35.)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all.” – 1 Corinthians 15:19

Inserted in this weekend’s bulletin is To Rise With Christ – Regarding the Burial of the Deceased and the Conservation of the Ashes in the Case of Cremation. It is always good for us to remind ourselves what we believe and why. After all, each of us will one day pass through the door of death.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Don’t miss Requiem by Gabriel Fauré, a concert by the Columbia Choral Society together with the Aiken Civic Orchestra on All Souls Day, November 2 at 7pm in the church. Tickets are $20 (all students are free) and available at the parish office or at the door on the night of the concert.

While Halloween gets a lot of secular attention, the real celebration is not about witches, devils, and zombies, but about Saints – the inspiring men and women who lived holy lives for Jesus Christ and now live forever in Him. “Halloween” comes from older English meaning the night before – or Eve – of All Hallows Day – or All Saints Day. (Think “hallowed ground,” meaning “holy ground,” and “hallowed be thy name,” i.e., “holy is your name.”)

St. Teresa of Avila: “I do not remember that I ever asked [St. Joseph] at any time for anything which he did not obtain for me. It fills me with amazement when I consider the numberless graces which God has granted me through the intercession of this blessed saint, and the perils, both body and soul, from which he has delivered me.”

To think about: St. Theresa was very close to Our Lord, even to have ecstasies. And yet she also went to Joseph for help. You are in good company when you go to Joseph for his intercession.

Venerable Pope Pius XII: “Grant that we may not lose sight of Jesus, who busied himself with you at your carpenter’s bench.”

To ponder: St. Joseph taught Jesus his trade when Jesus was a child. Think about Joseph working in his workshop – cutting wood or carving in stone – all the while teaching Jesus, letting Jesus do some work as he grew older, encouraging him as he learned, correcting his workmanship, and keeping track of him when he went wandering. How do we interact with our children or those we work with? Do we accept correction humbly? Ask Saint Joseph to help us be patient with others as we work with them and with those who are helping us improve.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For a few years now, one of our parishioners, Alejandro(Alex) Leguizamon, has been participating in our diocesandiaconate training program. A couple of weeks ago, hepassed one of the milestones in his training and was officiallyinstalled as an Acolyte in the Church. Soon, you will beseeing Alex at various Masses, mostly acting as lector andhelping in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass.Acolytes are sort of the “top-level” of extraordinaryministers, being the only extraordinary ones officiallyinstalled for the universal Church. (All other EM’s are onlycommissioned in individual parishes.)

Pope Benedict XVI: “Like Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary into your home.”

To think about: Joseph took care of Mary and Jesus. As we imitate Joseph, we will become closer to Mary. Think about the relationship between Mary and Joseph, and some of the conversations they might have had, and how that relationship might have changed over the years.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we begin Respect Life Month, here are some thoughts for us to ponder. Life is such a miracle! Give thanks to God, who holds all things in existence, for your existence – for your life. Every child conceived is loved first by Him. – Father Wilson

Pope Pius XI: “In a life of faithful performance of everyday duties, [St. Joseph] left an example for all those who must gain their bread by the toil of their hands.”

To think about: We all have manual labor to do as part of life, either at our job or at home. Sometimes we don’t appreciate how we serve God even when we are doing yard work, housework, and such. From the beginning God gave man work, to “till and keep” the garden. Do we perform our manual labor to glorify God as we work? Do we appreciate the importance of our work?