That’s right, it’s still Christmas!

We are in the part of our liturgical year called the Christmas season, which goes until January 8, when we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. We find ourselves immersed in the profound mystery of the Incarnation—the miraculous moment when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. It is a time of joy, celebration, and contemplation for the Catholic faithful, as we reflect on the wondrous gift of God's love.

As we traverse the sacred season of Advent, our hearts are enveloped in the warmth and glow of the candles on the Advent wreath, each one representing a different facet of our spiritual preparation. This week, as we focus on love, we delve into the profound essence of God's love revealed in the unfolding narrative of Christ's coming.

On the Third Sunday of Advent, the Church in her wisdom, gives us, the people of God, Gaudete Sunday, which is Latin for “Rejoice” Sunday. Gaudete Sunday, signified by the rose colored candle in the middle of the Advent season of waiting and preparation reminds us of joy. Joy not because the Lord has come, but because the Lord is coming.

As we enter into the season of Advent, we are called to embark on a spiritual journey marked by anticipation, hope, and, most importantly, peace. Rooted in the rich traditions of the Church, Advent serves as a sacred time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, inviting us to delve deeper into the profound peace that only He can provide.

Advent is a season of Hope – certainly a virtue that may be illusive in a world torn by strife and in a society which seems to commercialize everything. Yet, Hope is the key to keeping the season holy. We anticipate two important events in these sacred days. We look forward to commemorating the first coming of Christ, the Prince of Peace, on Christmas as we also look forward to His second coming at the end of time.

Although Thanksgiving will be celebrated this week across the nation, everything around us is pointing towards Christmas already. In some cases, retailers have been advertising their sales since before Halloween and certainly their stores have been decorated with Christmas trees and such for several weeks now. Advertisements on television, radio and social media proclaim the joyous news of Christmas’ sales! It is difficult not to have anxiety this time of year if you’re a parent or grandparent trying to figure out how Santa will ever be able to fill children’s stockings this year.

One of the treasures of our Catholic Faith is how we honor the men and women who are declared Saints, Blesseds, and Venerables by the Catholic Church. Our Assumption Church is filled with side altars, and carved statues, reliefs, and paintings declaring our love and honor for them.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus shares a powerful teaching about ten virgins awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom. Half of them, the wise virgins, come prepared with extra oil for their lamps, while the other half, the foolish virgins, find themselves unprepared for the unexpected delay. As Catholics, this parable holds profound lessons about the essence of our faith and the importance of spiritual readiness.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus delivers a powerful message to both the crowds and his disciples, shedding light on the true essence of discipleship. Matthew 23:1-12 challenges us to reflect on the authenticity and humility that should define our journey as Catholic followers of Christ.

In Matthew 22:34-40, the Pharisees were looking to test Jesus by asking him about the greatest commandment. In response, Jesus not only provided them with a clear answer but also encapsulated the essence of the entire Christian faith.

This passage from Matthew highlights the astuteness of Jesus in navigating through the complexities of life. The authorities, who usually opposed each other, united in an attempt to trap Jesus. They sought to force Him into a dilemma, where whatever answer He gave could be used against Him.

In this parable of the wedding banquet, Jesus gives profound insights into the nature of God's kingdom and the response expected from those who are called. The king's preparation of a grand wedding feast for his son mirrors the divine invitation extended to all humanity by our heavenly Father—a call to partake in the joyous union with His Son, Jesus Christ.

“To heal wounds, to bind what is broken and to bring home those who were lost.” This was the entire life and mission of Saint Francis of Assisi, and it is clearly a prophetic mission for our day.

This parable, known as the "Parable of the Unforgiving Servant," teaches us about the boundless mercy and forgiveness that God offers us and the importance of extending that same forgiveness to others. As Catholics, we are called to reflect on this passage and apply its teachings in our lives.

Many people have had the experience of praying for something in earnest and just the opposite happens! This experience leads us to questions in our life: Has God been deaf to our entreaties? Are we not good enough to have our prayer answered according to the outcome we desire? Are we being punished by God?

Labor Day, a day dedicated to honoring the contributions of workers, invites us to reflect on the inherent dignity of human labor and its connection to our faith as Catholics.

As many of you know on October 1 at 10am, we are celebrating Welcome Home Sunday here at Assumption. — Do you remember the first time you felt welcomed at Assumption Church?

In many years of ministry, I have heard people comment that Franciscan priests are different from diocesan priests. Yet, when I’ve asked them what makes us different the usual response is, “I don’t really know – you’re just different.”

In this week’s gospel, we encounter Jesus walking on water and Peter's brief struggle with doubt. This narrative holds powerful lessons for Catholics to reflect upon and draws our attention to the enduring presence of Christ in the midst of life's storms.

In the liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Transfiguration commemorates the pivotal event when Jesus revealed His divine nature to three of His closest disciples: Peter, James, and John. This extraordinary occurrence on Mount Tabor holds great significance for Catholics and serves as a beacon of hope and assurance in our spiritual journey.