Dear Parish Family,

First Sunday of Advent

The Advent Season is a time of rebirth in our faith as we return to the spiritual womb, where we joyfully anticipate our coming forth. It is here that we sit a while in darkness, only to relish in the return of the light. These darkest days of the year, are symbolic of our journey within, to a place of joy and solitude. Holy solitude is a welcoming place, because it is a time to be alone in the Lord, in a place of sacred silence. It is in the darkness of the womb, that we become strengthened and nourished, turning with every seasonal shift as the Winter Solstice unfolds keeping rhythm and time in step with Emmanuel God with us. The heart of the Advent message is that though we are enveloped in darkness, we are drawn to God’s wonderful light, and that his light is an awakened encounter, causing us to contemplate this holy anticipation of his coming into the world 2000 years ago, and his return in glory. Stay vigilant, prepare yourself, pay attention for we know not the hour. We crave the light more than ever, as we desire to live in truth, and how in the expectation of his coming, we ask ourselves, will we be ready?

This Advent as we bring out the Advent Wreath and decide to be more prayerful, reflective, and open to God’s grace, let us set ourselves up for success by taking on the four key attributes of the season. It is here that we return to the darkest of days of the year, symbolic of our journey within, to a place of joy and solitude.

Repentance- Make a Genuine Confession.
Holy Anticipation- Contemplate and develop a spirit of holy longing for the Savior.
Realization- know what impact the anticipated presence of God has on the world.

Manifest God’s Light-Be the Light in the Darkness-seek the light of Christ in all things, and allow him to illuminate our path, and see the light as the essence of our conversion. In the few short weeks we have in Advent, let it become the Little Lent it is. It’s a time of preparedness, find us ready Lord, it’s a time of reconciliation, find us forgiven Lord, it’s a time of hope, find us courageous Lord.

In a World that is dark… Be Light

Fr. Michael D. Accinni Reinhardt, MA, Mdiv, MS
Parochial Administrator/Pastor
St. Catherine Laboure Parish

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