THE SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.....IN GOD'S PLAN FOR THE SALVATION OF HUMANKIND..........

In the Divine Plan of Salvation History, God the Father desired full reconciliation with fallen, sinful, Humankind, in a renewal and restoration of relationships that will place us back on the path to Eternal Redemption.  In fulfillment of God's Plan to be reunited and join with us in bonds of Love that form and honor a Covenant between the Divine and Humankind, the only begotten, co-eternal, Son of the Heavenly Father, is the instrument, to bring about our salvation.  Thus, Jesus the Christ was born into the World as God made Man, the long awaited Messiah - Savior of God's People.  But to assure that the Mission of Redemption be carried out without failure or question as to the validity of the One who Comes as the Christ, the Father desired the Holy Birth of the Savior, be pure, and perfect.  Enter Mary of Nazareth, a young 16 year old Jewish virgin girl, who God chose, called, and preserved from the stain of sin from the very moment of her own conception as a human creature of the Divine.  Thus the Blessed Viregin Mary, free from sin herself, was able to be the ideal vessel and cooperator with God in affecting the Birth of Jesus, "Emmanuel", God With Us, into the World.  Today we celebrate the Solemnity of bthe Immaculate Conception, a Holyday for Catholics, in which we focus our Faith on God's Word, and Fidelkity to Gospel Values on Mary's "Fiat", her total, unconditional, selfless, YES to God the Father's invitation to be, "the handmaid of the Lord", and not only the Mother of God, as the Christ-bearer, but the Blessed Mother of all Believers.  Mary Our Mother's acceptance and affirmation of a partnership with the Heavenly Father that brings about the Redemption of God's Faithful People, is something we too should strive to bexemplifyb  in our own Catholic-Christian Discipleship.  In this Advent Season of  Joyful Hope, how are you saying Yes to the Father, Son, and Spirit each day ?   The Faithful Parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish are doing that  this week by attending the outstanding Advent Mission being preached by Father Steven Avella.  In his introductory presentation last night Fr. Steve preached a vivid message of Light and Hope, that was confirming and concretizing, as we cope with our personal, familial, and communal, hardships as People of Hope and Light.  It is my hope more of the parishioners will come tonight and tomorrow to share in the magnificent message Fr. Steve is providing us in this Advent Mission..........May You Renew Your Generous Selfless Yes To God As Did The Immaculate Mary,   Fr.  Troy