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 also 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.

Even though the readings of Advent follow a three-year cycle, with Matthew now being this year’s primary Gospel, each of the four Sundays have their own consistent theme with their own readings. This first Sunday always has the theme of “Watch and Pray.” This year we hear from Paul’s Letter to the Romans where we are told to “wake from sleep.” Why? The answer follows in this Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew: “you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” This Gospel is not one of doom and gloom but an admonition for us to be ready every day and always for the Lord’s appearance; for those who will be ready to receive him, greater things will follow.

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.

As we being our Advent journey, three important celebrations are coming in the next week. First, we begin our annual novena in honor of the Immaculate Conception this Sunday evening, December 1st, and this will continue every evening through December 8th at 7PM. The novena will end on December 9th at the 5:15PM Mass. Second, this Monday, December 2nd, is the anniversary of the rededication of our Cathedral Church and is a solemnity in our parish and a feast day in every other parish in the diocese. I find it hard to believe that this will mark ten years since that beautiful celebration in 2009. Third and final, this coming Sunday, December 8th, would normally be the Solemnity of Mary, the Immaculate Conception, but it is transferred to Monday, December 9th because it cannot land on the Second Sunday of Advent, thus why the novena begins and ends a day later this year. This is the only circumstance when the obligation to attend Mass for the Immaculate Conception is lifted. While this year it is not a holy day of obligation, I still encourage you to come and honor our Blessed Mother who is patroness of our nation, diocese, and parish under the title of the Immaculate Conception. Masses that day will be at the regular daily times of 7AM and 5:15PM.

For me, this Sunday begins my favorite time of year, now through the end of the Church’s celebration of Christmas in mid-January. For some, this season can be stressful or sad; for all of us, the Lord wants us to know his peace, now and in every season. Open your heart to the Lord, watch and pray, and you will find him, his grace, and his peace.

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

We hope to provide you with resources and prayerful opportunities to help grow your relationship with Christ. Advent is a time of waiting and anticipation. It is a season that reminds us to slow down and to spend time in prayer and reflection. As you journey through the Advent season, please know you and your guests are welcome at any of the offerings listed. If you have any questions, please contact the Parish Offices at 522-3342.

Novena in Honor of the Immaculate Conception
Beginning December 1st thru December 9th, the Cathedral will host the annual diocesan novena in honor of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the United States, our diocese, and the Cathedral Parish. Each night a different preacher will offer a homily on a different aspect of Marian theology and devotion. The novena is moved one day this year because December 8th falls on the Second Sunday of Advent resulting in the transfer of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception to December 9th. December 1st thru 8th – 7:00PM; Last Night and Closing Mass, December 9th – 5:15PM @ Cathedral

Advent Lunch and Learn
St Joseph Worker parish in Chatham hosts an Advent Lunch & Learn that consists of a simple soup/bread/etc. lunch followed by a series of Advent reflections on the Tuesdays prior to Christmas. This year, Fr. Dominic Rankin will speak about the three gifts of the magi; gold, frankincense, and myrrh December 3, 10, 17 – 12:05, O’Hara Hall

Rorate Coeli Mass
Join us on Saturday, December 14th at 7am for Cathedral’s first Rorate Coeli candlelit Mass in honor of Our Lady during Advent. The Rorate Mass is lit only by candlelight. In the dimly lit setting, priests and faithful prepare to honor the light of the world who is soon to be born, and offer praise to God for the gift of Our Lady. As the Mass proceeds and sunrise approaches, the church becomes progressively brighter, illuminated by the sun as our Faith is illuminated by Christ. All are welcome to join us for this special Mass!

Springfield Choral Society Presents “Messiah”*
The Cathedral is thrilled to once again host the Springfield Choral Society’s presentation of Handel’s “Messiah.” This is a ticketed event. Tickets are available through the Springfield Choral Society or at the door the evening of the performance. Saturday, December 14th – 7:30PM @ Cathedral

Advent Lessons and Carols
On the evening of Gaudete Sunday, in the holy season of Advent, join Mark Gifford and the Cathedral Choir for an evening of Scripture, music, and prayer as we reflect on the two promised comings of Christ. Sunday, December 15th – 7:00PM @ Cathedral

Late Advent Holy Hour
Enjoy the peace and quiet during this prayerful hour spent before the Lord. Tuesday, December 17th – 7:00pm @ Cathedral

ONLINE RESOURCES

The Adventure of Discipleship
Sacred Heart Major Seminary is offering a free, short, interactive online course based on Dr. Daniel Keating’s new book, “The Adventure of Discipleship.” Dr. Keating invites you to look at your Christian journey as an adventure that far surpasses other adventure stories. Dynamic and engaging, each week of the course features short videos, film clips from epic adventures such as Lord of the Rings, scriptural meditations, interactive learning activities and online discussion. Starting December 1st, register at shms.edu

Rejoice! Advent Preparations with Joseph or Rejoice! Advent Preparations with Mary
Rejoice! Advent Meditations with Joseph is a prayer resource with daily meditations that will enrich your Advent by inviting you to experience the first Advent with Joseph and Mary, as they await the birth of their son, the Savior of the world. Together with the guided meditation videos, this journal calls you daily to see through Joseph’s eyes, feel what is in Joseph’s heart, and read the Scripture that Joseph read, so you can fully prepare to welcome Jesus into your heart this Christmas. Presented by Fr. Toups, Sister Miriam Heidland, and Fr. Josh Johnson. The Rejoice! Advent Meditations with Mary Journal not only lets you walk beside Mary during the first Advent, but also lets you get to know her in a way you haven’t before. Rejoice! offers more than insights and information about Mary’s life—it offers an opportunity for you to encounter Mary in the quiet of your heart. Go to ascentionpress.com for more information and to watch an introductory video and order the book or journal.

Advent Gospel Reflections
This year’s Advent Gospel Reflection booklets contain brand new reflections from Bishop Barron, the full Gospel reading for each day, questions for reflection and even journal pages. It’s short, simple, but extremely powerful. It’s like getting a mini-homily each morning from Bishop Barron. Go to bishopbarronbooks.com to purchase a booklet.

Best Advent Ever
A great Christmas begins with an incredible Advent. Every day during Advent, you’ll receive an email with a short video from Matthew Kelly and the Dynamic Catholic team. It’s free and easy to sign up. Go to dynamiccatholic.com to sign up

Finding God in Unexpected Places
A free daily email featuring a short and inspiring Advent video reflection on a work of art from the Detroit Institute of Arts by Fr. John Bartunek, LC. Each daily 1-minute video is designed to help you know the happiness and joy of discovering the presence of God in unexpected places of your daily life and to help others around you do the same. Go to rcspirituality.org/advent-2019/

DAILY PRAYER BOOKS – Paper copy and Online versions

Give Us This Day– Request a free copy at giveusthisday.org
Magnificat– Subscribe at: bookstore.magnificat.net
The Word Among Us– Subscribe or get a free online trial at wau.org/subscribe/

ADVENT BOOKS

Jesus of Nazareth, the Infancy Narratives by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope benedict focuses exclusively on the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life as a child. The root of these stories is the experience of hope found in the birth of Jesus and the affirmations of surrender and service embodied in his parents, Joseph and Mary.

Joy to the World: How Christ’s Coming Changed Everything (and Still Does) by Scott Hahn
What could be more familiar than the Christmas story — and yet what could be more extraordinary? The cast of characters is strange and exotic: shepherds and magicians, an emperor and a despot, angels, and a baby who is Almighty God. The strangeness calls for an explanation, and this book provides it by examining the characters and the story in light of the biblical and historical context.

Advent and Christmas; Wisdom from Henri J.M. Nouwen
This book is designed to be used during the entire period from the First Sunday of Advent to the end of the Christmas season. Reflections begin with the words of Nouwen, followed by an excerpt from scripture related to the quote and then a prayer timing both together. Finally, an activity is suggested for applying the message.

Advent Meditations with Fulton J Sheen
Drawn from Archbishop’s best-selling books, theses reflections are eloquent quotes paired with beautiful Scriptures on the themes of the season; patience, waiting, gift, hope, humility, joy and more.

Advent and Christmas: Wisdom from Pope John Paul II
Designed like the Nouwen book, we read and reflect on selections from the Holy Father’s talks and statements followed by scripture, prayer and a suggestion for an appropriate seasonal activity

In Death on a Friday Afternoon, the late Fr. Richard John Neuhaus cautions us to take Lent slowly, to not rush to Easter. A similar thought comes to mind when approaching Advent: we should not rush to the stable. Advent, the time of great expectation, should be a time when we can linger awhile with Mary and Joseph in their time of anticipation.

But what has become of Advent? Or the days before Advent, for that matter? I went shopping on November 1, All Saints Day, also known as the day after Halloween. What to my wondering eyes should appear but peppermint sticks, ornaments and a battalion of reindeer. On November 1. It is little wonder that those of us who wish to keep Advent feel not only a bit overwhelmed but just a little like Charlie Brown on his Trick or Treat rounds. OK, I didn’t get a rock in my treat bag – just a holiday surprise that was less than charming.

Yes, there is no need to rush to Christmas. And, with a little advance planning now, Advent can find its proper place on the calendar and in our hearts.

THANKSGIVING
A major stumbling block for those of us who live in the U.S. is the way the Thanksgiving holiday has been almost totally subsumed into the secular celebration of Christmas. Keeping Thanksgiving as its own holiday – before Advent – is a good start. Thanksgiving is about gratitude; not the opportunity for jump starting our shopping. Decide now to bring a grateful heart into the days of Advent.

PRAYING
Having a prayer plan is the most important Advent planning. Whether it be a personal choice from the many wonderful resources for Advent or a plan for prayer as a family, planning ahead can lead to a more peaceful, prayerful Advent. Parents of older children may want to include them in the planning for Advent devotions. (This is a lesson I had to learn the hard way. And I quickly learned that the first day of Advent is not a good time to be casting about for prayers and reflections for the season.)

PLANNING
Panic is a peace thief of the blessed days of Advent. Good advance planning – be it for celebrations religious and secular, shopping, cooking, cleaning – helps prevent panic. Keeping all of those plates of plans spinning in one’s head is a definite distraction. Putting plans down on paper (or electronically if that is your preference) gets things organized and out of your head. Whether you chose to use a special planner or create your own, start now with the planning that can free up your mind during the days of Advent.

CELEBRATING
Don’t forget the feast days that come in December. Among the many days for celebration, we have the feasts of St. Nicholas, St. Juan Diego, St. Lucy, Our Lady of Guadalupe as well as the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Spending some days in Advent celebrating the feasts of these holy men and women is not just a teachable moment for the family. These are tangible celebrations – not random days of the vague ‘holidays’ season. Not only are these days faith-filled and fun days, but they are also great moments for evangelization as we share the reason for our celebrations. Of course, St. Nicholas was the first of the December feast days that I remember from a very young age during my German Lutheran upbringing. Naturally, this was the first Advent feast day that we celebrated as a family and then, as time passed, more family feast day celebrations were added to our calendar.

PLANNING A FULL CHRISTMAS SEASON
Remember that Christmas is more than one day and plan accordingly. While secular media pulls the Christmas rug out from under us on the 24th of December, we know that the 25th of December is just the beginning of our Christmas celebration. Just as we should not rush to Christmas, we should ignore the cultural influences that try to rush us past this holy season.

Ellyn von Huben is a native of Wisconsin, and has never lived more than five miles from the shores of Lake Michigan. She has a degree in art history from Barat College in Lake Forest, Illinois. Fascinated with the Catholic faith since her childhood, Ellyn, her husband, four children (plus one in utero) were received into the Catholic Church in May of 1988. Ellyn lives in the suburbs of Chicago, and still has her ‘day job’ as an administrative assistant in a large Catholic parish on Chicago’s North Shore.

Thank you to the many parishioners who have submitted your good faith intention cards during the Season of Stewardship! There is still time to send yours in to the office. However, are you wondering why you are being asked to do this? Why is this important?

When you commit to doing something, you likely have the best of intentions to see it through, right? You may right down your goal or tell others about it to help hold yourself accountable. The form helps us identify how we are currently stewards or how we would like to be stewards of our time, talent, or treasure in the future. Many of you are already incredibly generous and involved- thank you! By filling out the stewardship form you help the parish staff identify needs in the parish. We need to ensure that our ministries remain vibrant and welcoming with volunteers. The forms also help us plan the spiritual and financial resources for the year ahead. We want to make sure we can continue to bring to you the high-caliber faith formation programs, services, and special Liturgies, which have become the norm at Cathedral! We need your support and participation in this effort.

As we enter into the Season of Advent, we begin a new commitment to discipleship and stewardship in the Parish! Below we have a few ideas to challenge ourselves during Advent. Watch the Parish eblast and facebook page for more stewardship challenges and videos that will hopefully serve as great resources for you and your family this Advent!

• Begin the Season of Advent in prayer and in gratitude by joining us at the Novena in honor of the Immaculate Conception! The Novena begins December 1st and runs through December 9th. Each night a different preacher will offer a homily on a different aspect of Marian theology and devotion. Join us Dec. 1st thru 8th – 7:00PM; the last night and closing Mass, December 9th at 5:15 Mass.
• Serve at the Breadline with your family this Advent (https://cc.dio.org/programs/st-johns-breadline)! St. John’s Breadline in Springfield serves a hot, nutritious meal in a clean, positive environment. The St. John’s Breadline has volunteer opportunities available seven days a week. Shifts are available Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Shifts are also available on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The Breadline is located at 430 N. 5th St. Springfield, IL 62702. Contact them at (217) 528-6098 for more information.
• Have a family Advent wreath! The traditional Advent wreath – a crown made from branches of holly, spruce, or straw (or cardboard, fabric, dried flowers, etc.) with four candles (three purple and one rose) that you light in the course of the four weeks of Advent, is a great family tradition! Find a great article with resources for your Advent wreath here: (http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent/about-advent-wreaths.cfm)
• Make a NEW family Advent tradition by joining us at the Cathedral Lessons and Carols (Sunday, December 15th – 7:00PM at Cathedral), the Late Advent Holy Hour (Tuesday, December 17 – 7:00pm at Cathedral) or at the first annual Rorate Coeli Mass, which is a Mass in candlelight on Sat. December 14th at 7am!

If you have any questions regarding your stewardship form or how you can grow deeper in your relationship with God this Advent, please contact Katie Price at [email protected].

Every now and again I am asked which of the four Gospels is my favorite. That is a difficult question to answer because, while there are four, together they form one Gospel of Jesus Christ. Each has parts that stand out for me. Mark is the oldest and arguably the most reliable concerning many of the sayings of Jesus. Matthew gives us part of the Infancy Narratives, along with Luke, especially the story of the Magi. John is very theological. It’s the last of the Gospels and is able to assume a base knowledge that already exists among believers because of the three texts before it therefore its language and teaching is more exalted. This leaves us with Luke whose Gospel does have a special place in my heart because it gives us the image of Jesus as the loving divine physician.

The passage from Luke for this Sunday, the Solemnity of Christ the King, may be one of the last passages that we would think of having for this day as it presents us with Christ crucified; not the most kingly presentation from a worldly point of view. As Jesus hangs on the cross, he is mocked three times by the “rulers” who are most likely the Jewish religious authorities, the soldiers, and by one of the criminals crucified alongside Jesus. Each mockery is about challenging Jesus to save himself if he truly is the Messiah. The last mockery from the criminal also comes with a plea for Jesus to save him from the agony and death that he is experiencing as well. All three mockeries can be summed up as “save yourself from the pain and suffering of this life and we will believe.” That’s the messiah the world wants and at times it may be the messiah that we want, but that is not the Messiah who is Jesus Christ.

The other criminal gets it right. Tradition calls him “the good thief” and names him Dismas, but of that we can’t be sure and we don’t know his crimes, which were probably more heinous than robbery given that he and his accomplice are being crucified by the Romans. This criminal acknowledges his guilt and his repentance is implied in his stating that his punishment is just, he acknowledges the innocence of Jesus, and then follows one of the most beautiful exchanges in all of the Scriptures when he makes his own profession of faith: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom” to which our Lord replies “today you will be with me in Paradise.”

The salvation that our Lord Jesus has accomplished is for us but it is not for this life. Salvation does not mean that we will be spared from the heartaches and sufferings that are inevitable because of sin. The repentant criminal appears to understand that Christ’s Kingdom truly is not of this world and that the salvation that he is accomplishing will be revealed only through our own exodus from this life.

As we celebrate this great feast of Christ the King and in times when we may be tempted to expect God to save us from the trials of this life, may we remember that God will save us but that his salvation is not about this world but liberation from it. Those who mocked the Lord could not see beyond this present life and still the world continues to mock the crucified Lord today as it holds on to a reality that is fleeting. Thanks be to God that we are called to a hope beyond this world, to a greater life to be revealed, to something better than this world could ever offer. As we prepare for the Season of Advent, let us be mindful that as Christ has come so he will return again in glory with salvation for those who live and die in him. May the grace of Christ lift our minds beyond the cares of this life to the Paradise to be revealed. Thy Kingdom come!

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

We hope to provide you with resources and prayerful opportunities to help grow your relationship with Christ. Advent is a time of waiting and anticipation. It is a season that reminds us to slow down and to spend time in prayer and reflection. As you journey through the Advent season, please know you and your guests are welcome at any of the offerings listed. If you have any questions, please contact the Parish Offices at 522-3342.

Novena in Honor of the Immaculate Conception
Beginning December 1st thru December 9th, the Cathedral will host the annual diocesan novena in honor of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the United States, our diocese, and the Cathedral Parish. Each night a different preacher will offer a homily on a different aspect of Marian theology and devotion. The novena is moved one day this year because December 8th falls on the Second Sunday of Advent resulting in the transfer of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception to December 9th. December 1st thru 8th – 7:00PM; Last Night and Closing Mass, December 9th – 5:15PM @ Cathedral

Advent Lunch and Learn
St Joseph Worker parish in Chatham hosts an Advent Lunch & Learn that consists of a simple soup/bread/etc. lunch followed by a series of Advent reflections on the Tuesdays prior to Christmas. This year, Fr. Dominic Rankin will speak about the three gifts of the magi; gold, frankincense, and myrrh December 3, 10, 17 – 12:05, O’Hara Hall

Rorate Coeli Mass
Join us on Saturday, December 14th at 7am for Cathedral’s first Rorate Coeli candlelit Mass in honor of Our Lady during Advent. The Rorate Mass is lit only by candlelight. In the dimly lit setting, priests and faithful prepare to honor the light of the world who is soon to be born, and offer praise to God for the gift of Our Lady. As the Mass proceeds and sunrise approaches, the church becomes progressively brighter, illuminated by the sun as our Faith is illuminated by Christ. All are welcome to join us for this special Mass!

Springfield Choral Society Presents “Messiah”*
The Cathedral is thrilled to once again host the Springfield Choral Society’s presentation of Handel’s “Messiah.” This is a ticketed event. Tickets are available through the Springfield Choral Society or at the door the evening of the performance. Saturday, December 14th – 7:30PM @ Cathedral

Advent Lessons and Carols
On the evening of Gaudete Sunday, in the holy season of Advent, join Mark Gifford and the Cathedral Choir for an evening of Scripture, music, and prayer as we reflect on the two promised comings of Christ. Sunday, December 15th – 7:00PM @ Cathedral

Late Advent Holy Hour
Enjoy the peace and quiet during this prayerful hour spent before the Lord. Tuesday, December 17th – 7:00pm @ Cathedral

ONLINE RESOURCES

The Adventure of Discipleship
Sacred Heart Major Seminary is offering a free, short, interactive online course based on Dr. Daniel Keating’s new book, “The Adventure of Discipleship.” Dr. Keating invites you to look at your Christian journey as an adventure that far surpasses other adventure stories. Dynamic and engaging, each week of the course features short videos, film clips from epic adventures such as Lord of the Rings, scriptural meditations, interactive learning activities and online discussion. Starting December 1st, register at shms.edu

Rejoice! Advent Preparations with Joseph or Rejoice! Advent Preparations with Mary
Rejoice! Advent Meditations with Joseph is a prayer resource with daily meditations that will enrich your Advent by inviting you to experience the first Advent with Joseph and Mary, as they await the birth of their son, the Savior of the world. Together with the guided meditation videos, this journal calls you daily to see through Joseph’s eyes, feel what is in Joseph’s heart, and read the Scripture that Joseph read, so you can fully prepare to welcome Jesus into your heart this Christmas. Presented by Fr. Toups, Sister Miriam Heidland, and Fr. Josh Johnson. The Rejoice! Advent Meditations with Mary Journal not only lets you walk beside Mary during the first Advent, but also lets you get to know her in a way you haven’t before. Rejoice! offers more than insights and information about Mary’s life—it offers an opportunity for you to encounter Mary in the quiet of your heart. Go to ascentionpress.com for more information and to watch an introductory video and order the book or journal.

Advent Gospel Reflections
This year’s Advent Gospel Reflection booklets contain brand new reflections from Bishop Barron, the full Gospel reading for each day, questions for reflection and even journal pages. It’s short, simple, but extremely powerful. It’s like getting a mini-homily each morning from Bishop Barron. Go to bishopbarronbooks.com to purchase a booklet.

Best Advent Ever
A great Christmas begins with an incredible Advent. Every day during Advent, you’ll receive an email with a short video from Matthew Kelly and the Dynamic Catholic team. It’s free and easy to sign up. Go to dynamiccatholic.com to sign up

Finding God in Unexpected Places
A free daily email featuring a short and inspiring Advent video reflection on a work of art from the Detroit Institute of Arts by Fr. John Bartunek, LC. Each daily 1-minute video is designed to help you know the happiness and joy of discovering the presence of God in unexpected places of your daily life and to help others around you do the same. Go to rcspirituality.org/advent-2019/

DAILY PRAYER BOOKS – Paper copy and Online versions

Give Us This Day– Request a free copy at giveusthisday.org
Magnificat– Subscribe at: bookstore.magnificat.net
The Word Among Us– Subscribe or get a free online trial at wau.org/subscribe/

ADVENT BOOKS

Jesus of Nazareth, the Infancy Narratives by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope benedict focuses exclusively on the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life as a child. The root of these stories is the experience of hope found in the birth of Jesus and the affirmations of surrender and service embodied in his parents, Joseph and Mary.

Joy to the World: How Christ’s Coming Changed Everything (and Still Does) by Scott Hahn
What could be more familiar than the Christmas story — and yet what could be more extraordinary? The cast of characters is strange and exotic: shepherds and magicians, an emperor and a despot, angels, and a baby who is Almighty God. The strangeness calls for an explanation, and this book provides it by examining the characters and the story in light of the biblical and historical context.

Advent and Christmas; Wisdom from Henri J.M. Nouwen
This book is designed to be used during the entire period from the First Sunday of Advent to the end of the Christmas season. Reflections begin with the words of Nouwen, followed by an excerpt from scripture related to the quote and then a prayer timing both together. Finally, an activity is suggested for applying the message.

Advent Meditations with Fulton J Sheen
Drawn from Archbishop’s best-selling books, theses reflections are eloquent quotes paired with beautiful Scriptures on the themes of the season; patience, waiting, gift, hope, humility, joy and more.

Advent and Christmas: Wisdom from Pope John Paul II
Designed like the Nouwen book, we read and reflect on selections from the Holy Father’s talks and statements followed by scripture, prayer and a suggestion for an appropriate seasonal activity

How wonderful it is that the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary always falls within the start of Advent. Thus, in the very season during which we wait with longing for the Word made flesh to come to us as Emmanu-el (God-withus), we are invited to consider how deeply planned, how “not-random” is his coming, by pondering his Mother Mary, and the very fact of her. “Without God’s Son, nothing could exist; without Mary’s son, nothing could be redeemed,” declared St. Anselm in a sermon, also noting that God is “Father” of the created world and Mary the “Mother” of the world recreated in Christ. Anselm completes his thought by echoing the words of the Archangel Gabriel to Mary: “Truly the Lord is with you, to whom the Lord granted that all nature should owe as much to you as to himself.”

It’s a lot to take in. Mary’s own conception had itself been something pre-ordained by God as necessary within the pageant and process of our salvation—a moment of creation untainted by the brokenness of original sin, which had accompanied every human conception since the first sin of Eden.

From the very beginnings of her existence within the womb of Anne, her mother, the body and soul of Mary were created as the imperatively immaculate vessel required for the containment and growth of the Incarnation of the All Holy. Mary was created with the graces that would render her a fit Ark for the New Covenant, and not only for the time Jesus’ gestation within her womb but throughout her entire life.

This is a fact the Church might appreciate even more today than at any time previous, thanks to science and the discovery of microchimerism. We have learned that within the process of microchimerism, every baby conceived by a woman leaves within her a microscopic bit of his or her cellular being, even if gestation is interrupted, and remains with her forever. Mary, then, was indeed a tabernacle for the Divinity—not for a limited time but for all of her life, as these invisible but real reserves of the Christ remained within her.

Knowing this only reinforces how necessary, how profoundly sensible and reasonable-in-faith is the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, which was deduced long before a time of microscopic discovery. It makes perfect sense that the God who is all good is also completely pure; therefore, the vessel in which he would reside and be made manifest need also be pure, or it could never have been able to sustain all of the light, all of the holiness, all of that power extant within the All-in-All.

Were Mary not be-graced by God for that very purpose of holy containment and development, she would have been crumbled into dust by the immensity of it. And this relates directly to the Assumption of Mary as well. In the Psalms we read: “You will not suffer your beloved to undergo corruption” (Psalm 16:10). Christ’s divine body did not undergo corruption, but ascended into heaven; it follows that his mother’s body, which contained the cellular components of that divinity—and a particle of God is God, entire—would not be permitted to undergo corruption either.

It could not be otherwise. The God particle, commingled with humanity, necessarily preserves humanity and calls it to himself. This is Incarnational. It is Eucharistic, from the beginning. It is our life, conceived in light. And yes, a lot to take in. It’s a lot to take in that God had so thoroughly planned, in the fullness of time, to draw all things to himself through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:10), and that we can see the reality of his plans in the Immaculate Conception of Mary and in her life.

It’s also a lot to take in, and something we rarely consider (even when we say, “To Jesus, through Mary”): that Christ’s Body and his Blood are Mary’s as well—that the foundational materials of our Holy Eucharist come to us through Mary. Without Mary’s body, Emmanu-el would not have been with us, and so it makes perfect sense that—as Ark and nurturing catalyst for the New Creation, her body and blood (and her generous, pristine soul) would be preserved of defect, and rendered “full of grace.” As St. John Vianney preached, “The Father takes pleasure in looking upon the heart of the most holy Virgin Mary, as the masterpiece of his hands….The Son takes pleasure in it as the heart of His Mother, the source from which He drew the blood that…ransomed us.”

To Jesus, through Mary, indeed. Those non-Catholics who misunderstand Mariology and assert that Catholics pay her too much homage are missing the point of the essential mission to which she gave her consent: to provide the profoundly pure flesh and blood by which the Savior would eventually—and throughout the ages—feed us and heal us with the super-substanital “daily bread” of the Eucharist. The gift rendered Holy through Christ’s own divinity and called forth by his Bride, the Church. Seen in that light, how could we ever do Mary homage enough for her fiat, and her lifelong example of how to cooperate with grace?

How could we not, especially in Advent, want to ask the prayers of one so beloved of the Incarnate Word, an intercessor who troubled Christ Jesus for something as temporal and passing as wine at a wedding, and to whom we can speak so simply? Especially in this month, let us say each day, with perfect confidence in this “Mother of the world, recreated in Christ”: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

Elizabeth Scalia is a Benedictine Oblate and author of several books including the award-winning Strange Gods: Unmasking the Idols in Everyday Life (Ave Maria Press) and Little Sins Mean a Lot (OSV). Before joining the Word on Fire team as a Editor at Large, she served as Editor-in-Chief of the English edition of Aleteia, and as Managing Editor of the Catholic section of Patheos.com. Elizabeth also blogs as “The Anchoress” at www.theanchoress.com. She is married, and living on Long Island.

[On hearing of the death of his son,] the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” It was told Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the troops; for the troops heard that day, “The king is grieving for his son.” The troops stole into the city that day as soldiers steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle. The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Sam. 19:1-5)

We Americans live in a culture that has largely lost its shared social scripts and rituals for grieving. How does one grieve loss, failure or tragedy? For how long? How do we move on? How do others respond rightly to those who grieve? With whom should we share our grief? Do we mourn with our clothing? Do we weep and wail aloud in public or in private? Do we share our pain or remain silent? How do we pray in the midst of grief? When do we pray? How should we eat? And how does faith shape the way we grieve?

Grief is how we bury our dead—the injustices and injuries, losses, failures, and tragedies we undergo in life. Grief allows us to heal, surrender, forgive, and move on into new freedom with reverence.

In the face of my parents’ death over the last two years, I have given much thought to this. I have one simple observation. I and my family were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support, care, prayer, and compassion shown to us. Cards, texts, emails, gifts, flowers, prayers promised, countless Masses offered, meals brought, memorial donations to charities, sincere words of condolence. One friend had a magnificent chalice made, inscribed with my mom’s name, and donated it as alms to a poor diocese so that my mom would be perpetually remembered in the offering of the Sacrifice.

Absolutely overwhelming. How can one possibly begin to offer gratitude sufficient to repay these acts of kindness? “Pay it forward,” as one friend suggested. Lovely, right, and just.

The beauty and power of all these gifts notwithstanding, what I found most powerful personally was the sacred space afforded me by two people I know. Each offered me a guarded sanctuary within which I could grieve.

One of them, while my mom was dying, asked me, “How are you?” I knew he meant he really wanted to know, and was prepared for whatever would come out. So I told him. He just listened as I dissolved in front of him. He didn’t attempt to mute my pain with pious words of comfort or counsel; neither did he say he knew what I was going through by telling me of his own tale of loss. He simply listened, revering the infinite power of silence. At the end he said, “I’m so sorry.” And embraced me. We left in silence.

For me, he was the weeping Christ-with-me. A real presence reserved in the tabernacle of compassionate silence. Aside from the Funeral Mass, nothing has allowed me to bury my mom and return her to God more than that hour I spent with this friend. He brought alive for me the beauty of the words of Job 2:13: [The friends of Job] sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.

May I be able, by God’s grace, to pay that forward . . .

Dr. Tom Neal presently serves as Academic Dean and Professor of Spiritual Theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tom received a Masters in Systematic Theology from Mount St. Mary’s University and a PhD in Religion at Florida State University.

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Join Us!

Cathedral hosts a weekly bereavement group, Grief Share, on Thursdays from 1:00-3:00 (except 11/28 and 12/26) in the Cathedral School Library. Grief Share offers a faith filled opportunity to grieve and heal in company with others. You are most welcome to join us. For more information contact Berni Ely at 899-6637 or [email protected]

One of my earliest memories is that of wonder as I clomped out, cocooned in boots, snow-pants, coat, and gloves, into our snow-covered backyard as my dad shoveled a walkway to the garage. It was the most snow I had ever seen – about a foot I guess – and I was only a few years old, so the piles of frozen flakes reached beyond my waist. It wasn’t quite Israelites-through-the-Red-Sea astonishing, but the memory sticks in my mind strongly to this day. Perhaps now I find the onset of cold weather less thrilling than I did as a 4-year-old, but I still am struck by wonder each year with the first snowfall. Only God can recreate an entire landscape over the course of an hour as He does with a snowfall, painting and purifying the grime and grayness of November away with the heaven-sent flurries that filled the sky these past weeks. This week, with plenty of winter confronting us outside, I wanted to take a glance through scripture to see what it might reveal to us of God.

The purity of a fresh snowfall is the image called upon by the repentant David in Psalm 51 as he begs the Lord to forgive the ugly selfishness of his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah, her husband. It evokes not just a request for pardon, but his beseeching prayer that his heart might be recreated in the Lord’s love. “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Even the purity of snow falls short in describing the Lord’s forgiveness. His redemption is not just a covering over of our sins, but a renewal of ourselves to their depths, especially in those places of our hearts wounded and warped by sin. Isaiah uses the same image, but now the snow-filled-sky become a pledge from God Himself of salvific forgiveness: “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). As angels filled the December sky above Bethlehem, this promise began to be fulfilled, and it is in the glorious brilliance of Christ transfigured on Mt. Tabor, and the snow-white angels standing by the tomb on the morn of the Resurrection, that mark the definitive advent of Divine redemption.

More astonishing than a state-wide cleansing God completes with an afternoon snow flurry is the transformation He brings about our souls through the supernatural cleansing in one confession. And even more joyous than the most perfect of snowfalls is the rejoicing of all of heaven when we come to Him with repentance!

Psalm 148 transposes the blustering of winter weather into a hymn of praise to the Lord. “Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!” Our praise, the psalmist admonishes us, is not merely a spiritual or interior one, but includes and joins with the tangible and visible praise of the natural world. Yet our prayer can be even more inspired by the greater beauty of creation in its continual correspondence with God’s providential will. Just as “even the wind and seas obey Him”, so our praise gives even greater glory to God when it is not only an act of piety and adoration, but of obedience. As our worship corresponds more and more closely to His revelation and example, re-presenting His Sacrifice, in memory of Him, our earthly lives are transposed more and more to the worship of heaven.

Just as snow does more than cover over a cityscape, but actually is a small way of creation following the will of its Creator, so snow and frost image not only God’s desire to purify and cleanse our lives, but the bringing of our lives and hearts into conformity with His. Man, made in God’s image and likeness, with His grace is not only re-created in that original image, but invited to do so in obedient freedom. Our lives become a splendid icon of God Himself.

As we close in on our last weeks of this liturgical year and our readings look ever more towards the definitive, glorious, second coming of Christ marked by “awesome sights and mighty signs … from the sky”, perhaps our recent surprising snowfalls could be a reminder of His loving desire to come now, today, into our hearts and lives.

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I intend, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:10–11).

Father Dominic Rankin is a Parochial Vicar for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

And here it is. The deliverable. The mission: Go, make disciples of all nations.

In other words, evangelize. Yikes! To Catholics that’s a scary word bringing to mind images of people on street corners, telling us the end of the world is near (Chicken Little anyone?) or people going door to door with religious pamphlets. (How many of us have dashed back into the house and pretended to not be home when we see them coming down the block?) It just doesn’t sit well with us. Evangelize.

Can’t we just be private and quiet about our faith? Isn’t it between each of us and God anyway? Don’t we hear every Ash Wednesday that when we give alms, fast, and pray that we should do it in secret and not on the streets to win the praise of others (Matthew 6:1-6)? Don’t we frequently hear the quote from St. Francis of Assisi to preach the gospel always and if necessary use words? My heart did a joyful dance when I heard that. Rejoice introverts! All we need to do is live a good life and voila—evangelization!

Turns out St. Francis didn’t say that, though. St. Francis was a holy man whose actions reflected the Lord’s love but he didn’t shy away from speaking about the gospel. Unfortunately, this quote has given people permission to not talk about the gospel for fear of being seen as a kook. It‘s a safe bet that none of us are living so holy a life that our actions are enough. Jesus used lots of words; sometimes the same ones over and over. We are sheep after all.

Nope, Jesus didn’t tell us to take the easy way out. He didn’t say “just focus on yourself, learn some dogma, watch some videos, read some books.” He said, “Go, make disciples!” Those were his parting words. After everything that happened, he told us to do one thing: make disciples. One thing. He told us we may be hated and persecuted (Matthew 5:11-12). But he also told us, “I am with you always until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Extroverts and Introverts
Some of the best evangelizers I know describe themselves as extreme extroverts. They are souls who love, love, love being around people. The idea of being home alone reading a book is anathema to them. They spend the day with people and then the evening and the next day and they never seem to tire of personal interaction. Extroverts get energy from others. A crowd … good. A party … good. The doorbell rings … friends! A day home alone … purgatory.

Introverts are the opposite. Those of us who identify as such can be very happy spending a quiet day at home. The more the merrier … nope. A good book by the fireplace … bliss. I love being around people, but they make me so very tired. If my coworkers were in the office every day, I might need to find a new job. Happily two days a week they are off-site and I can recharge for their return, which is no end of fun and exhaustion. If I don’t get quiet, down-time I get twitchy and angsty.

What to do? How does an introvert go and make disciples? It would be tiresome.

Evangelization, going on mission so to speak, is imperative. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reinforces Christ’s directive. While God doesn’t need us to evangelize, “the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men” (CCC 848). Well, we can think to ourselves, it’s the job of the Church, as in the parish down the road and priests. Whew. Again, nope. “Lay people also fulfill their prophetic mission by evangelization, that is, the proclamation of Christ by word and the testimony of life. For lay people, this evangelization . . . acquires a specific property and peculiar efficacy because it is accomplished in the ordinary circumstances of the world.” CCC 905

Practical Application
My question has two parts: how should I evangelize and how will I be able to? Giving a talk at a conference a la Fr. Mike Schmitz is not my gift. While I enjoy conferences, I usually leave early and once even spent time a room designated for people who need a quiet space. I enjoy social events, but more is not merrier. Once there are greater than six people around the table, I stop adding to the conversation because there is someone more gregarious than I who is handling it.

I know I need to use words because I’m not holy enough to skate by on action alone, but what does that look like? Evangelization has many forms. God is smart; he gives us gifts to help out. Charisms are given by the Holy Spirit to assist in building his kingdom. Not all require an extroverted personality type. (An aside: A charism is different from talent. When a person is working within a charism, what he or she is doing enables others to experience God.)

Genuine Relationship
If we are to evangelize, we need to be in contact with other people but it doesn’t have to be a party. Evangelization is relational and most effectively done over time with one person at a time—a boon for introverts who operate well in a one on one situation. One of the best ways to evangelize is to walk alongside someone as he or she explores faith. It’s spiritual friendship done over coffee, while on a walk, even over the phone. What’s important is building a genuine relationship with a person and being open to discussing faith. Maybe that means slipping in comments about what your faith means to you. Maybe it’s more direct and you know someone who is looking to discuss Jesus. Whatever it looks like, it means being relational and remembering that the person in front of you is not a project, but a human person. We don’t need to be experts. We aren’t leading the person, merely walking with him or her. The Holy Spirit does the heavy lifting. If asked a question you don’t have an answer to, that’s OK. Commit to looking for the answer, maybe together. Words are needed but they don’t have to be fancy or inspiring or big; they need to be yours and if you’re uncertain what they will be, the Holy Spirit will provide.

Most important, we should remember that we are not doing our own work, we are doing God’s work. He knows who he wants us to invest in and, if we consecrate it to him, he will give us the words we need and the time we need to say them.

As Pope Paul VI made clear in his 1974 encyclical on evangelization, Evangelii Nuntiandi:

“Nevertheless [witness] always remains insufficient, because even the finest witness will prove ineffective in the long run if it is not explained, justified … and made explicit by a clear and unequivocal proclamation of the Lord Jesus. The Good News proclaimed by the witness of life sooner or later has to be proclaimed by the word of life. There is no true evangelization if the name, the teaching, the life, the promises, the kingdom and the mystery of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God are not proclaimed.”
EN 22

Amen.

Merridith Frediani’s perfect day includes prayer, writing, unrushed morning coffee, reading, tending to dahlias, and playing Sheepshead with her husband and three teenagers. She loves leading small faith groups for moms and looking for God in the silly and ordinary. She blogs and writes for her local Catholic Herald in Milwaukee.