As the holiday season is upon us many of us are busy decorating our homes in preparation for the many guests who we will welcome throughout our Christmas celebrations. But before the decorations can once again be hung with care, we often will do that thorough cleaning that will last the whole holiday season. Our spiritual lives run on much of a parallel course. This weekend we read from the beginning of the Gospel of Mark and immediately hear the call of St. John the Baptist. People are flocking to him to be baptized but the requirement to receive John’s baptism is “repentance.” Admitting, owning, and confessing one’s sins begins the process of “interior house cleaning” and is a sure sign that one is serious about who they will welcome within their heart; within their lives. We await a time that Jesus will come as “judge of the living and the dead.” To some Jesus’ second coming has been delayed. However while we wait we are given time to set things right with our lives so that when He returns He finds us clean and ready to receive Him. Let us prepare our hearts as we prepare our homes for the Christmas event.
ST. LAWRENCE FAITH COMMUNITY wishes to thank all who so generously responded to the most recent theft of bags of Christmas Toys that had begun to be collected for a special refugee Christmas gathering. We have more than made up for what was taken. Thank you all.
ST. MARTIN DE PORRES “The Light’s On For You” confession opportunities continue each Advent Wednesday from 5:00PM – 7:00PM in the Reconciliation Room. Adoration and private prayer will also take place in the Chapel during this time. Come and prepare your hearts for so worthy a guest as our Lord and Savior.
NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY WELCOMES – The Pastoral Ministry Team of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary wish to warmly welcome members of the People of Praise Community and Charismatic Catholics throughout Western NY for a special Mass that will be held on those months containing a fifth Sunday. The first will take place Sunday, December 31st at the 5:00PM Mass. The Charismatic gifts, mentioned in the early Christian Community at Corinth in the New Testament will be welcomed as we give thanks for this past year and rededicated ourselves with Mary our Mother in this New Year as followers of Jesus her Son.