Christmas Message

There is a word ever dear to our hearts, but dearer still at Christmas - Home. Like the old saying; “there is no place like home”. Home has charm, it has character, even at times we have a childlike affection for it. Our Home need not be a mansion, maybe it is even to some less than a shack, but as long as it home for us - we are there cradled in its comfort and care.

Christmas is a time when our memories and thoughts gather around home. Amid the chaos we find a quiet moment and ponder its gift. We also tenderly recall those whom distance or death momentarily separate from all being together at home; we hear their voices echo the hallway, their scent fills the air and their presence seems in its absence to seemingly touch us – we remember them all at Christmas.

This Christmas many will come Home – to our Home – St Mary’s Church. During Christmas Mass we may cast a wistful glance at one another. Our decorations may proclaim anew that the Saviour has come, our worship may well up in each of us a joy and devotion, our music and message may cause a cheery reminder of when the heavenly chorus first announced the glad tiding of peace on earth among everyone of good will. We will say; it is good to be Home.

As we come together this Christmas – as we come Home – let us pray for one another that as we are brought together in one place for this one time, we may remember the one reason, the one person, that has made this togetherness possible. May the Child of Bethlehem be born again within each of us and fill your heart and soul with peace and love. Welcome Home!

May Our Lady of the Visitation continue to be our inspiration, model and guide.

Together in the Lord’s Service
Father F. Freitas
Pastor

Christmas Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve – December 24, 2011
5:00p.m. – Mass with Pageant and Children’s Choir
7:00p.m. – Family Mass
Midnight – Solemn Mass of Christmas
(Carols begin at 11:30p.m. and Incense will be used)

Christmas Day – December 25, 2011
10:00a.m. – Solemn Mass of Christmas Day

A reminder that additional seating for 300 persons will be provide at all Masses in the Parish Centre and additional parking at the Johnson Centre has been arranged.

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Its almost here - the Adventure !

Advent means coming. It is also the first part of the word Adventure. This year’s Advent scriptures mix many strong images and emotions. We hear the challenge to Watch! Be Alert, Make Straight, and Await! But we are also assured by The Lord is With You, and We are the Clay and God is the Potter’s Hands, and Give Comfort to my People and We Rest in the Shepherding Arms of Jesus. Ultimately these images lead us to proclaim with Mary that Nothing is Impossible for God. The combination of these feelings and happenings are indeed an adventure of faith.

Our possibilities with God are most powerfully proclaimed and cele-brated in the Feast of Nativity when the Child King is given to us by a God who knows the possibilities in the divine human enterprise. When all humanity is raised up by the presence of our God in an innocent baby, our world is made holy.

As we come to the conclusion of Advent and celebrate in Christmas let us embrace the possibilities of our partnership with God and take those possibilities out to an eager world that awaits ongoing new life.

May the Adventure of this beautiful time of year be a magical one for you and your loved ones. Please share some of that magic with us here at St Mary of the Visitation Parish on Christmas.

Third Sunday of Advent - Clutter, Clutter, Clutter

Having guests enter our homes for the holidays requires preparation—cleaning, decorating, and shopping. And most of us do this willingly and eagerly during the holidays in order to spend time with family and friends.

But how often do we spend time preparing our hearts for the holidays? The busyness of the season can all too easily crowd Jesus right out of Christmas. Most people would never forget one of their children’s birthdays, but the birth of the Savior of the world can get lost in the glitter and glamour of Christmas parties, presents, and activities.

Is Jesus the center of your holiday? Examine your heart this Christmas season. Maybe it’s time to do a thorough cleaning and prepare a place for Jesus to come and stay. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a great way to get rid of clutter, it helps things become clear and clean so that we can celebrate the great Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord not only in peace - but clutter free. Our Parish Reconciliation Service is Thursday, December 15th at 7:00pm - five visitng priests will be present - great way to get ride of the clutter !

In the same manner in which we clean and prepare our homes in the anticipation of welcomed guests and family members this Christmas season, let us also prepare our hearts in anticipation of the Lord's coming. Christ, our most honored and eagerly anticipated guest, desires to meet with us in a heart prepared for His arrival. So eager is He to meet with us that He offers to help us with our spiritual housecleaning, working with us; creating a resting place for Himself within our hearts.

Second Sunday of Advent - An Advent Pause

We are now in the second week of the journey of Advent. Advent is a tradition that is intended to be a spiritual journey, Advent is a time to reflect on Scripture and slow down to appreciate not only Jesus’ birth but also His gift of salvation through His death and resurrection. The Christmas story is not just something celebrated in December, but it is something meant to be lived out every day as we eagerly await His glorious return.

Each day of Advent, set aside time to slow down and remember the reason we celebrate. You will be engaging in Scripture, meditating on its truth, and experiencing God in new ways. It may seem counter cultural to slow down during what is known as one of the busiest times of the year. But that is exactly what Advent encourages you to do. Be counter cultural—you won’t regret it.

Candles on our Advent Wreath are lit as reminder of what the Gospel of John speaks of Christ as the true light coming into the world. Through the tradition of Advent we stand together with Christians around the world, proclaiming this truth prophesied many years ago. Christ is coming. Christ is always coming, always entering a broken world, a shattered family, a wounded heart. Remember and claim this truth by lighting a candle when you pray—as a visual reminder of the light of the world who came to earth as a baby to show His love for you.

During Advent I hope that you are following my Advent Devotional - Padre's Pause - which is a daily meditation to help us slow down a bit; it is on my Twitter page @PadreFreitas. I hope this Advent we can all slow down a little.