Dear Friends of our Pastorate,
This weekend, we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. Our Gospel recalls the early ministry of John the Baptist, who was chosen by the Lord to prepare the way for the coming of Christ (Lk 3:1-6). John preached a message of repentance—for all to acknowledge their sins, seek reconciliation and forgiveness in the waters of baptism, and return to following the Lord every day of their lives. This is the ongoing message of the Church today. We proclaim this good news in Jesus Christ, inviting all to conversion and repentance, and returning to worship and praise God for the gift of forgiveness of sins and new life in Christ. How well have you and your family accepted this gracious invitation? It is freely offered to us but we must accept it, embrace it, and put it into action by the choices we make each and every day.
Our Pastorate and the universal Church are here to assist you with this. It is not meant to be burdensome or seemingly impossible to do, but it does require us to make choices in our lives, including the choice to put God first in everything we do. This season of Advent can help us do this by reminding us of the love, hope, peace, and joy that is ours in Jesus Christ. I invite you and your family to choose Christ this Advent. Prepare the way for Jesus to enter into your home and your hearts and make him a welcomed guest every day. Jesus longs to be invited into our lives… we just need to invite him!
This week, we have several celebrations to bring to your attention. On Monday, Dec. 9th, the Church will celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Mass schedule for this Holy Day will 8:30am at both OLC and St Jane, 12:00pm at OLC, and 5:30pm at St. Jane. Please plan to join us. The Pastorate will also be offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Wednesday, Dec. 11th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at St. Jane. We will also be offering Eucharistic Adoration during this time. And please pray for our pastorate youth who will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week at both parishes for the first time.
Leo Zerhusen from Hope for All will be speaking at all Masses at OLC the weekend of Dec. 7–8 and at St. Jane the weekend of Dec. 14–15. Hope for All is a ministry of outreach and service based in Glen Burnie that our Pastorate has supported over the years through donations and volunteering. We are currently collecting comforters, blankets, bed linens, and bath towels for Hope for All. Items do not need to be new, but in good, clean condition. Thank you for your generosity for those in need in our community.
Thank you for keeping St. Jane Frances and Our Lady of the Chesapeake—our Pastorate of the Visitation—in your daily prayers!
God Bless,
Father Steve
