Romans 15:5-6 Deus autem patientiae, et solatii, det vobis idipsum sapere in alterutrum secundum Jesum Christum: ut unanimes, uno ore honorificetis Deum at patrem Domini nostri Jesu Christi.
(Douay-Rheims translation) Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another, according to Jesus Christ: that with one mind and with one mouth you may glorify God and the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ. (New American Bible translation) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Most Catholics are aware that December 8th is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Until 1969 it was celebrated even when it fell on the Second Sunday of Advent. Since then when it falls on this Sunday the Feast is moved to Monday, December 9th whereas the Sunday Mass texts are those of the Second Sunday of Advent. However, when it is transferred to Monday it is not a holyday of obligation. We will celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception at 8:15 A.M. on Monday, December 9th with the school children.
Our country has been under the special protection of Mary Immaculate since its earliest days. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception links our faith and our country. More than ever we should turn our country over to thher. Some recall that World War II began after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7 , 1941 “the day that will live in infamy” on December 8 , 1941. It ended on August 15 , 1945 the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into heaven. May she guide and protect us always.
Advent is a time for us to stand united in the faith. The reading from Romans 15:5-6 reminds us: “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Sadly there can develop disunity in the Church from within in addition to the disunity outside its boundaries. This is not the mind of Christ.
Clearly the temptation to divide up the Church must have existed in the first century of Christianity as is indicated in the above quoted letter of St. Paul to the Romans, where he exhorts the Catholics in Rome to stand together in Christ. Always, at the center is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If we are united to Him we cannot fail. If we stand on the Lord’s certain teachings in the one, holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church we will be on safe ground. No one is permitted to divide up Holy Mother the Church. Each must do his or her part to promote unity “according to Jesus Christ.” Let us pray for unity in our troubled days.
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” - Luke 1:30-33