WITH ADVENT JOY AND GLADNESS WE AWAIT THE LORD JESUS' COMING.........

Not having a Sunday Mass to preside at today, I went last night to St. Ignatius Loyola Church on Arden Way, off Watt Avenue, to concelebrate the 3rd Sunday of Advent Liturgy with St. Ignatius Parish's incoming new Pastor, Reverend Father Michael Moynihan, S.J. I have been hearing for the past five months that he has been present at the parish as an Associate Pastor, that Fr. Moynihan is a master liturgist. The Mass he presided at last night was certainly in accord with that apt observation. He has a clear, deeply resonant, voice and communicates quite effectively in a coherent manner, the prayers, preaching, and pronouncements, he proclaims. His homily on what we call as Catholic-Christians, "Gaudete Sunday", meaning 'Rejoice', a Sunday when we light the rose colored candle around the Advent Wreath and traditionally the priest wears rose colored vestments, was truly thematic and timely. Fr. Moynihan's homily was an excellent exposition and reflection on the Sunday Scriptures we hear proclaimed as we rejoice today. He illustrated his preached message regarding the Joy God's Word summons us to live with the example of the character, 'Fezziwigg', from Charles Dickens', "A Christmas Carol". Fezziwigg, is an outstanding example of the joyfulness and gladness Advent and Christmas are truly about. The naturally flowing joy which Fezziwigg exudes everyday, contrasts much more favorably to our necessary spiritual reality than that of the, "Scrooges", in the world. Fr. Moynihan also quoted from his Jesuit colleague in the Northwest, Brad Reynolds,S.J., whose Advent poem, "Gaudete", defines and describes the essence of the spirit of rejoicing we must share. Borrowing the text of the poem from today's St. Ignatius Sunday Bulletin,

"Gaudete Because Christmas is almost here
Because dancing fits so well with music
Because inside baby clothes are miracles.

Gaudete Because some people love you
Because of Chocolate Because pain does not last forever
Because Santa Claus is coming.

Gaudete Because of laughter
Because there really are angels
Because your fingers fit your hands Because forgiveness is yours for the asking
Because of children
Because of parents.

Gaudete Because the blind see
And the lame walk.

Gaudete because lepers are clean
And the deaf hear.

Gaudete Because the dead will live again
And there is good news for the poor.

Gaudete Because of Christmas
Because of Jesus
You rejoice".

BRAD REYNOLDS, S.J.

Bringing his 3rd Sunday of Advent homily to a conclusion, Fr. Moynihan spoke of the newly arriving reconciling and evangelizing ministry starting in the Sacramento Diocese this Advent, Christmas, and New Year, "Catholics Coming Home". Beginning this Friday Dec. 18, television ads will be running through late January inviting lapsed Catholics back to the Church. His message about, "Catholics Coming Home", underscored the necessity of our personal joy filled active presence to the inactive and non practicing Catholics who return to Christmas and Sunday Masses, as a a result of this media campaign outreach our parish communities and diocesan family are making. I am grateful to Fr. Moynihan for the opportunity to concelebrate with him, as I await word about my next priestly pastoral assignment in 2010. And as you celebrate this 3rd Sunday of Advent as we await and experience the Lord Jesus' three-fold Coming, may you and your families discover the joy and gladness that Emmanuel, God With Us - is inviting you to share. "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say REJOICE !!!".........Fr. Troy