WELCOME TO LITURGICAL YEAR 2011 : THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT..........

Today we open Liturgical Year 2011, on this First Sunday of Advent.  For the next 4 Sundays and until December 24 afternoon, we will be watching and waiting as Catholic-Christians, in commemoration and anticipation of the three-fold Coming of the Messiah, the Anointed One of God the Father, Jesus the Christ.  Advent, as the initial sacred season of the Church's new year focuses our spiritual and prayerful attention on the hope filled expectation of the long awaited Messiah's Coming for the salvation of God's People.  As today begins a Year 'A' on the three year liturgical cycle, we hear the Gospel summons to, "Be Prepared", for the day of the Lord Jesus' Second Coming in glory and the Enat Christmas and anticipate d Times,  from St. Matthew - who is the Evangelist we will hear the Gospel heard from throughout most of the year ahead.  Being Disciples of Jesus Christ, we believe He is the Co-Eternal Son of God, who was born into the World becoming Incarnate, Man as well as God, some two thousand years ago.  We also believe that He will come again at the End of Time, the day and hour of which is only known by the Heavenly Father.  But I mentioned the three-fold Coming of Christ.  Just as we prepare for the celebration of His Holy Birth, and anticipate His Future Return to inaugurate the fullness of God's Kingdom, we also acknowledge and respond to Jesus' presence among us during this Advent Season.  Thus, our need to be pro-active and do something to make a difference as Advent People, who are more than caught up with the premature frenzy of the holidays.  The parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes are being given several opportunities over the next four weeks to meaningfully enter into the observance of Advent.  The First Sunday of Advent bulletin, includes a supplemental insert with ideas and recommendations for celebrating Advent daily at home.  Each member is also being given a small booklet, "Five Minutes With The Word", containing short daily reflections on the Advent Scriptures.  The Parish Advent Series, on the Monday evenings of Advent, November 29, December 6, 13, 20, will provide an overview presentation of the Advent Scriptures from the book, "Advent Light", by Stephen Binz, from Twenty Third Publications' Threshold Bible Series.  On December 7-9, Reverend Father Steven Avella, will preach a three night Parish Advent Mission, 'Advent Light; Christmas Glory' .  And on Tuesday December 14, we will have a Communal Anointing of the Sick for the elderly, ill, infirm, and disabled; as well as an Advent Communal Penance Service with Confessions on Friday December 17.   Therefore, there are ample opportunities to truly make this Advent a season of making the Lord's way Ready in our lives..........Hearkening All Christuans To Make This An Awesome Advent,   Fr.  Troy