The blessed embassy wonders that it has been led to the holy cradle by a ray of light streaming from above; the farthest nation is the first to enjoy the common good.

What a wonderful favor! He who embraces heaven and earth is held within the embrace of his Mother; he who left the Kingdom of his Father lies hidden in the bosom of his Mother. Through a simple service the spiritual treasure is revealed: humanity is perceived, but divinity is adored.

Those who offer gold, frankincense, and myrrh show more in mystery than they offer in knowledge. In the gift of gold royal dignity is indicated, in the smoke of the frankincense divine majesty, and in the appearance of myrrh humanity which is destined for burial. Thus the number of their offering bespeaks the Trinity, while their single devotion gives evidence of unity.

Following this example, if we wish to reach Christ, let us endeavor to behold heaven with the ever watchful attention of our heart. May the star of justice direct the path of a perfect life for us. Let us offer the gold of fidelity, the spices of devotion, and the burnt offering of chastity to him who said: No one shall appear before me empty-handed. May we possess spiritual myrrh within us to temper our souls in such a way that it may keep them unharmed by the corruption of sin.

Let us change our life, if we desire to reach our true country, that is, the heavenly one. Let there be this exchange between the two so that we may prepare for ourselves the substance of that future life by our use of this present one. Just as eternal life will be the reward of this life, let us labor in such a way that this one may be the price of that.

Saint Caesarius of Arles (470-542 AD), was a monk, archbishop and celebrated preacher. Among his many reforms, he brought the Divine Office into the local parishes and founded a convent, placing his sister Saint Caesaria there as abbess. He was revered for his more than forty years of service and for presiding over Church synods and councils, including the Council of Orange in 529. Over 250 of his sermons have survived.

We continue our journey through the Octave of Christmas this weekend with the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family. This feast reminds us that Jesus was raised in a home, that he grew in age, wisdom, and in knowledge of God’s will for his life. He also grew in grace and obedience under the care of Mary and Joseph. This feast is followed by the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, on New Year’s Day. This solemnity marks the end of the Octave of Christmas by celebrating the motherhood of Mary, remembering that it was from her that Jesus took his human nature, becoming one with us in all things but sin. This year the obligation is lifted to attend Mass on January 1st because the solemnity falls on a Monday, however, Mass will still be offered on New Year’s Day at 9AM.

Thank you to all who ministered and assisted in making our Christmas celebrations so wonderful. How blessed we are to have this joyous season of light in the midst of the darkest days of winter, but also at a time when the light begins to lengthen ever so slightly and the darkness begins to recede. Please continue to enjoy the beauty of the season. It began, not ended, on December 25th and continues through Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord on January 8th. May the joy of Christmas continue to be yours and may you know God’s abundant grace and blessings in 2018!

Father Christopher House is the Rector-Pastor of the Cathedral and serves in various leadership roles within the diocesan curia, specifically Chancellor and Vicar Judicial.

Here is proven the old saying that actions speak louder than words, in this case God’s actions. It is this great mystery of Christmas, God becoming one with us in all things but sin, that is a stumbling block to many people of faith outside of Christianity. Many can accept the notion of resurrection but that God would condescend to enter into our human condition….unthinkable. Yet, here we are again at the manger to celebrate this wonderful reality, this wonderful mystery of the Word made flesh, the love of God incarnate.

The hustle and bustle of the secular world around us for this time of year is at an end, mostly because they sadly miss the whole point of Christmas, building up to one day and then for many people its all over. How wonderful for us in the Church that this is not the case. Christmas opens up for us a beautiful season in the life of the Church where we are invited to ponder, to stand in awe, to celebrate these wonderful actions by our loving God in the coming days and feasts. I hope and pray that you will take time in the days ahead to ponder these mysteries, to allow the Lord to enfold you in his love, to come to a deeper understanding of your own God-given worth that is testified to by the Lord Jesus coming to us.

On behalf of Bishop Paprocki, Fathers Maher and Stock, Deacons Smith and Keen, and all the parish and school staff, I want to wish you and yours a blessed and merry Christmas. May the light of the Christ Child, born for us in Bethlehem, lead us and all the world to greater peace and joy.

Father Christopher House is the Rector-Pastor of the Cathedral and serves in various leadership roles within the diocesan curia, specifically Chancellor and Vicar Judicial.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been asked this question several times. Simply put, the answer is yes, although I would always prefer for us to understand that we get to go to Mass twice in one weekend rather than we have to go.

This year is unique in that the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve fall on the same day; this happens about every six or seven years although a leap year might render a longer interval. According to the law of the Church, which is based on divine law, Catholics are required to participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Sundays and on other days of precept which we know as holy days of obligation. Christmas is a day of precept whose obligation is never lifted, the same Sunday. Therefore, all Catholics must attend Mass the weekend of December 23/24 for the Fourth Sunday of Advent and also for the Solemnity of Christmas on December 24/25.

The following was recently published by the Committee for Divine Worship of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: “The prevailing view of many canon lawyers is that each obligation must be fulfilled with a separate Mass. Thus, when consecutive obligations occur on Saturday-Sunday or Sunday-Monday, the faithful must attend Mass twice to fulfill two separate obligations….Aside from canonical requirements. It would be hp[ed, of course, that Catholic foster a love for the Sacred Liturgy and hold a desire to celebrate the holy days as fully as is reasonably possible.”

While for many there will be many things happening over the days of December 23-25, we must remember why we gather and celebrate: the birth of the Lord Jesus. Be sure to make the Masses of the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas a part of your Christmas plans.

 

As we enter into Advent, we enter into a season of waiting. It is not often that we enjoy waiting. Waiting in a long line, waiting for test results to come back, waiting for a new job opportunity; waiting is a challenge for many of us. We get impatient, anxious, or needy. What we are waiting for makes it all worth it, right?

This Sunday’s readings from Mark tell of Jesus
providing caution to his disciples:
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’
-Mk 13: 36-37

He is speaking to the need to be watchful. This is not just in reference to Jesus’ birth, but for Christ’s return in glory at the end of time. We are to be alert to God’s call for us, watchful of temptations that can distract us. Just as the disciples were to be prepared, we are to prepare.

So, how does being watchful relate to waiting? Think about the last time you were waiting for something… you were mindful of the car ahead of you in the drive-thru; you were tracking the package online to see the delivery time, your son or daughter practicing driving before the driver’s test. While these examples are insignificant, they can remind us that preparation is part of waiting. When you are prepared, you are watchful and situationally aware. How are we watchful in our faith experiences? Are we in a deep relationship with God through daily prayer? Are we participating in the sacramental life of the church, particularly the Eucharist and Confession? Are we serving others, just as we were reminded to do so in last week’s Gospel to serve the least?

This Advent, let us embark on a more watchful and prayerful journey through the season, waiting with open and joy-filled hearts for the Christ child!

Katie Price is the Coordinator for Discipleship and Stewardship at the Cathedral. She comes with an extensive background in this field after helping dioceses and parishes across the nation meet their goal of making discipleship a priority in their parishes. If you would like to learn more about the work she is doing, email her at [email protected].

This weekend the church year begins anew as we begin the holy season of Advent, a name derived from the Latin word adventus, which means “the coming.” This holy season looks to the two comings of Christ; first, we look forward to our Lord’s return in glory at the end of time, and, second, beginning December 17th, we look back remembering that our Lord came to us in time to be one with us in all things but sin. While it may not have the same depth of austerity as Lent, Advent is a penitential season where the words of the prophets echo to us from ages past to prepare a way for the Lord in our hearts and lives.

I know that this time of year is a busy time for many of us, but I encourage you to not get swept away in the commotion. Advent is a beautiful season and even though it is penitential (thus the use of the color violet), it also possesses a subdued joy and peace. I encourage you to make use of this season and set aside some time for yourself with the Lord. May every nation, home, and heart make room for Christ, the Prince of Peace.

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

This Friday, December 8th, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This day remembers that Mary, from the very first moment of her conception in the womb of her mother St. Anne, was kept free from all touch or stain of sin, thus the Latin inscription above the great mosaic in the Cathedral macula non est in te (no stain is in you). This great gift of grace was to prepare her to be a perfect vessel in which the Lord Jesus would take on our human nature in all things but sin, taking his flesh and bone from Mary. This great solemnity is a holy day of obligation; Masses will be at 5:15PM for the vigil on Thursday the 7th and at 7:00AM, 12:05PM, and 5:15PM on Friday the 8th. Come and honor Mary our Blessed Mother, the Immaculate Conception, who is patroness of our
cathedral, diocese, and nation.

Greetings from the Holy Land

As you read this I am in the middle of my time in the Holy Land, serving as spiritual director for the diocesan pilgrimage. Last week saw us in Galilee for a few nights and as of Saturday we
arrive in Jerusalem for six nights, returning home on the 8th. I am praying for all of you; please pray for the safe journey of the group. God bless you!

Father Christopher House is the Rector-Pastor of the Cathedral and serves in various leadership roles within the diocesan curia, specifically Chancellor and Vicar Judicial.

First, we prepare ourselves for the anniversary of Christ’s nativity, called Christmas through fasting and prayer. Second, we renew our desire to be reborn in Him, in fulfillment of the promise of Christmas through fasting and prayer. Third, we ready ourselves for His coming again, in the end of days, to judge the quick and the dead through fasting and prayer.

It will be seen, that apart from merriment and indulgence, Advent is a season of fasting and prayer. Not on the scale of Lent, before Easter, and barely half the duration of Lent; nor filled with the quality of sorrow and ashes, that marks the Lenten season. Still, fasting and prayer. There will be time enough to celebrate through the twelve days of Christmas, when irreligious men and women are recovering from their own celebration of they know not what. (They have their reward.)

In previous years, I made something like these points at Christmas, but it strikes me now that the first Sunday in Advent would be a more appropriate moment to express regret, and exhortation.

In England, once, I was invited for Christmas to the house of old family friends in north Oxfordshire. I was very poor then, and had thus had a sober and humble Advent, if largely against my will. It was in fact my first Advent as a believing Christian. The train ticket I’d bought, to take me from London to Banbury, was a major expense, and a luxury. Surprise: the train stopped at Oxford town, twenty-something miles short of my destination, and I was turned out on the platform. I hadn’t realized that, under the laudable old socialist regime that Lady Thatcher later swept away, all British Rail trains shut down in a kind of general strike, wherever they happened to be, as midnight approached on Christmas Eve.

Don’t get me wrong: it is one of the things about socialism I miss. England in the 1970s was quite dysfunctional. This made it cheap to live there. And around, you could see the decay of what
had once been a great capitalist nation, and the seat of a vast Empire. There is beauty in decay. I miss the chill of the English winter, when the coal miners all went on strike. I miss the candlelight, when the electricity went down. I miss the rotting Brussels sprouts from New Covent Garden. I even miss the pomposity of the working class heroes, running the country into the ground. I remember it all through the pink lens of nostalgia. Ah to be young again, and in England.

And on that platform at Oxford. The couple of miles from Banbury to my friends cottage in the village of Adderbury would have been a fine evening’s stroll. But I would now have the pleasure of
walking right through the brisk clear winter night, without even the companionship of the crescent moon that was sinking on the western horizon. I found the Banbury Road, and set along on foot. There were no cars on it, either. None.

I remember it as one of the happiest evenings of my life. Just me, and the stars, and the dark world around me, mediaeval under starlight. And the sense that I was walking towards Christmas. (Which of these is the star of Bethlehem?) When I was cold, I sang carols to myself.

I arrived in Adderbury, some time towards dawn. Having no watch, I could guess the time only by the constellations. I knew it was too early to knock on my friend’s door. The whole village was sleeping, and the only light was in the sacristy of the ancient church. I went into the churchyard, among the gravestones. I felt at one with forty generations of the English dead.

Suddenly there was a peal of bells, some miles away in the direction from which I’d come. Then another, nearer, at Bloxham. And then, right above me, the bells of St Mary the Virgin, Adderbury, pealing out, deafening in their joy. Bells, everywhere right across England! The bells were pealing, to announce Christmas Day.

This is what I want to share today the bells of Christmas morning with my reader, who is Christian, or lapsed; or never having been a Christian, wonders what it might be like. To hear their glory, we must fast and pray