Pastoral Corner - Third Sunday of Advent
12/15/2024 | Pastoral CornerDear Parish Family,
Rejoice Gaudete Sunday This third Sunday of Advent we turn the corner toward the coming of Christmas. Our glimmer of hope has pierced the darkness, and we are filled with JOY. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life, we forget that it is in the simplest moments that we become replenished and our hope is restored.
Gaudete in Latin is rejoice! Open up to God’s grace and allow Him to lift your spirits... let His light in to illuminate your heart and set it ablaze. Let us open up our hearts and embrace the season through our purpose-driven life, rooted in the virtuous life, desiring penance, forgiveness, compassion, and kindness of heart.
The opening of the door before us allows us to see the abundance of grace given to us by God, that same grace that illuminates our path and keeps us from stumbling. The rose colored candle is the reminder that God is present even in the darkness, that the love and light of God can never be extinguished. This week when we see the Christmas trees and Christmas lights, let us be reminded of the surpassing joy given to us in the Paschal Mystery, and allow ourselves to take in the Joy of the Lord at all cost. Let us not allow life or people or things to rob us of our joy. Gaudete Rejoice in the Lord always again I say Rejoice!
Blessings,
Fr. Michael D. Accinni Reinhardt, MA, Mdiv, MS
Parochial Administrator/Pastor
St. Catherine Laboure Parish