On Saturday, December 19, 2020, my desire to respond to the universal call to holiness through the Catholic priesthood was confirmed by the Church through the imposition of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit by His Excellency, The Most Reverend John C. Wester, the Catholic Archbishop of Santa Fe, NM. I am grateful to God, and the Catholic Church for this precious gift and privilege to serve as “another Christ” among the People of God.
Each of our readings today gives us a glimpse into the complications of family life and those glimpses let us know we are not alone in our trials and tribulations. Our family can be the source of our greatest joys, but also sometimes the source of our greatest sorrows. From the earliest days of Israel’s history, God was interceding in the difficulties of family relationships: commanding the honor and respect of parents by children, and of children by parents; and promising faithfulness to those who abided in faithfulness to him; instructing us in what it means to love as Christ loves; and ordering the family to the raising of children and the placing of God at the center of their lives.
Deacon Anthony Ezeaputa, who has served in our parish the past several months, was ordained to the Priesthood yesterday by Archbishop John C. Wester at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe. He is now Father Anthony Ezeaputa!
Today we enter into the Fourth Week of Advent. Christmas is only a few short days away. It may be a very busy time for you, but please make the time to read the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. You will read about Elizabeth, her husband Zechariah and the birth of their child who would be known as John the Baptist. You will read about the Archangel Gabriel, Mary and Joseph and the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. If you do this, you will likely be better prepared to celebrate with joy the birth of our Savior on Christmas Day.
The Saturday, December 19, 2020, 5:30 PM Vigil Mass will not be pre-recorded for online viewing. Online Mass will resume on Sunday, December 20, 2020 for the 12 noon Mass.
Just a reminder that pledges made last February for the 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) Campaign should be paid before the end of December. If you have not yet fulfilled your pledge, please make every effort to do so before the end of this month. Thank you!
For parishioners who wish to make an end of year donation to the parish, please do so by Monday, December 28th, 2020. Donations can be dropped off at the parish office from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on Monday.
The past two Sundays, the dominant liturgical color has been violet for the Advent season. Today, it is rose for Gaudete Sunday. “Gaudete” is a Latin word meaning “rejoice,” and rose is a bright and beautiful color of rejoicing for this Third Sunday of Advent, since we are more than halfway through our journey to Christmas. But, did some people not get the memo? Because for many it seems that Christmas has already come. Outside of church there is no violet and rose, but red and green (and I’m not just talking about chile!). There is Christmas music on the radio and in the stores, and Christmas specials on television and streaming on the internet. Our homes and communities are decorated. Stores have been decked out in Christmas décor for weeks. The rejoicing has begun. So, why Gaudete Sunday now?
In place of an Advent Parish Mission this year, I am inviting our parishioners and guests to participate in a spiritual journey called “The Search.” At all Masses this weekend, we are distributing copies of the book, “The Search” by Chris Stefanick. This book accompanies a series of 30minute videos that are accessible through our parish subscription to Formed (go to www.formed.org to set up your personal log in at no cost).
This time of year, we start seeing holiday movies centering on the idea of “the magic of Christmas spirit.” At the end of many of these films, the antagonist is fundamentally changed for the better: the Grinch’s heart grows, Scrooge becomes generous, and dozens of films end with skeptics finding joy in the season. While most of these holiday “classics” are secular in nature, they do touch on the belief that Christmas changes things. The difference is that while these Hollywood “classics” might give the credit to Santa Claus, we as Catholics, know that Jesus’ coming is what changed everything.
With the new health order issued by the Governor that goes into effect today, December 2, 2020, we are now permitted to have Mass attendance of up to 25% of our capacity. The past two weeks, the limit was 25% of capacity or 75 people, whichever was less. At 25% we are now able to have up to 175 people attending Mass in person. That will be the limit for as long as Bernalillo County remains in the red or yellow tier. If COVID cases become better controlled and the county achieves the green tier status, our Mass attendance can increase to 50% of maximum occupancy. The parish office is now open normal hours with minimum staff.