ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, JESUIT PRIEST AND MISSIONARY...........

On this 3rd of December, I wish a Happy Birthday to Sister Arlene Connelly and Steve Fischer, both with whom I worked and ministered with at Holy Family Parish, in Citrus Heights, during my pastorate there in 2000-2005.  Today is the feast day St. Francis Xavier.  A sixteenth century Spaniard by birth, he became a  founding member of the Socirty of Jesus, - the Jesuits.  In the 46 years of his life he answered the call to be a "spiritual soldier" of Christ, by becoming a zeal-ful missionary as an evangelist to foreign lands, where he succeeded in converting unbelievers.  The Pope recognizing his skillks, appointed him as a missionary ambassador to the East,  He traveled as a Catholic missionary to India, the Phillipines, and to Japan.  He fought against colonial abuse of native peoples and brought the Faith to many unchurched, while reinvigorating the sacramental and liturgical life of those who were already Catholic-Christians he encountered.  He was also greatly devoted to the sick, suffering, ill, and infirm.  As Advent People, we should strive to emulate the holiness and dedication to Jesus Christ and the People of God we profess to be...........Fr.  Troy