3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT - "GAUDETE", REJOICING IN THE LORD'S COMING..........

"REJOICE, in the Lord Always; Again I say, REJOICE"..........These words from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4, truly define the celebration of our 3rd Sunday of Advent.  In the Catholic-Christian Tradition, this is the day we light the pink, or rose colored candle around our Advent Wreath, representing the joy and gladness of beginning the second part of this season of anticipation and expectancy.  The immediacy of the Christmas we are about to celebrate, is also a part of joy filled marking of this Third Advent Sunday.  "Gaudete Sunday", Latin for, 'Rejoicing', and the Entrance Antiphon of today's Mass, from which this 3rd Sunday of Advent derives its name.  OLOL's Rejoicing began earlier last week, with the Parish Advent Mission, the St. Vincent DePaul Ministry's Christmas Baskets Distribution, and the Parish Christmas Dinner-Dance, last night......The Second Collection today being taken up nationally this month is for the Retirement Fund for Religious, to provide to provide for their retirement income and health care, as many of our senior Catholic Sisters, Brothers, and Religious Order Priests, have toiled in the Lord's Vineyard, ministering to God's People with minimal compensation.  Today's Collection helps them and their religious communties plan for their care in senior ministry, as we Share in the Care.....As this Advent Season readies us with Joy, Gladness, Hope, and Light, in the Messiah's Coming this Christmas may the homes of your hearts receive Jesus the Christ as the One in whom we can truly, REJOICE !!!!!!!!!!..........Fr.  Troy