"A Time To Rejoice" Dec 9, 2022

THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT: A TIME TO REJOICE

Our disposition and expectation as individual Catholics, as individual believers, truly influence and model the way in which our fellow parishioners as “communities of believers” look at Advent and incorporate its hope and excitement into their lives as Christmas approaches. 

This year, permit me as your Pastor to offer some thoughts each week of Advent for your reflection, meditation, and prayer, drawn from the Church’s rich spiritual treasury.

“Rejoice and be glad that so great and good a Lord, on coming into the Virgin’s womb, willed to appear despised, needy and poor in this world so that men who were in dire poverty and suffering great need of heavenly food might be made rich in him (St. Clare of Assisi).”

“With Christ, Mary sums up in herself all joys; she lives the perfect joy promised the Church: Mater plena sanctae laetitiae. And it is with good reason that her children on earth, turning to her who is the mother of hope and grace, invoke her as the cause of their joy (Pope St. Paul VI).”

“At Christmas when Christ comes, will he find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God’s own love and concern (St. Teresa of Calcutta).”

“The grace which was revealed in our world is Jesus … he entered our history; he has shared our journey. He came to free us from darkness and to grant us light. In him was revealed the grace, the mercy and the tender love of the Father … Advent increases our hope, a hope which does not disappoint. The Lord never lets us down (Pope Francis).”

A Blessed Advent Journey!

Fr. Robert T. Cooper, Pastor
Divine Mercy Parish and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School