Dear Parishioners,
The season of Advent is when we await the joyful presence of the Christ child. We have much to be thankful for and much to be joyful about. I know that joy is not a common experience these days. But we should be anxious with anticipation and preparation! Can we look at all this differently so we just don’t see the gifts, hectic shopping, food preparation and the family drama?
The God of the universe intentionally sent his Son to us human beings, because He wished to save us from our sinfulness. He transformed himself into a fully human being so that he might walk among us and share in our lives. He did this to teach us, to show us, to walk among us, to be gift, to let himself be known. We celebrate the fact that this really happened, and we are called to participate. We are among the shepherds who see the star. We are among the people at the inn who hear about the couple with child. We are among the people who see the family along the road. This is our Catholic story. This was done for our benefit. Let us get excited about it! Let us feel something beyond our ordinary feelings. Let us stand at the manger, there in front of the beautiful young mother, the firm father, and God’s seed of love, the Christ child; and offer them our thanks, our gratitude, our awe, and our love. In the quiet of the night, let us take in the sight of that young family embarking on a journey that will change our lives. Let us simply watch and take it in!
Let us also be joyful about Fr. Rob’s ordination. Congratulations Fr. Rob!
May God bless you in your vocation. May you minister well in the aura of light coming from the Christ child.
Blessings all for a beautiful and holy Advent,
Deacon Steve
Rev. Stephen Hook is Pastor of the Pastorate of the Visitation which includes the Catholic Churches of Pasadena, Maryland: St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Riviera Beach) and Our Lady of the Chesapeake (Lakeshore). He is assisted by Associate Pastor Rev. John Belinki, Deacon Howard Klohr, and Deacon Rick Clemens. To learn more about our pastorate, please visit www.catholicpasadena.org.
