We enter the Fourth Week of Advent in which we experienced a season of waiting—a season of preparation. For three weeks we have been anticipating the glorious day that is quickly approaching— the birth of Jesus the Christ at Christmas. Let us break from all the hustle and bustle that threaten to overwhelm the true meaning of this holy event and share in the pure joy of Mary and Elizabeth, two mothers expecting their first children, who in today’s Gospel exult in each other’s blessedness.

Today, on this Third Sunday of Advent, is traditionally called “Gaudete Sunday.” The word means rejoice. The third candle (pink) will be lit on the Advent wreath. The priest and deacon will wear rose/pink vestments this weekend.

Wrapped gifts with ornament tags must be returned to the rectory no later than December 14th .

As we journey together on this Second Week of Advent, John the Baptist, a prominent Advent character comes on the scene. Each Synoptic Gospel, (Matthew, Mark, Luke), recalls his preaching and his role as the immediate precursor of the Lord. In today’s Gospel, we hear John the Baptist proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Let us include the Sacrament of Reconciliation in our Advent preparation.

We begin a new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent. The season of Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of the Lord, whom we portray as a precious infant in a simple manger at the end of this season. There are two more arrivals of our Lord to contemplate during this season of preparation and they tend to be overlooked. One day Jesus the Christ will come again in glory as the world ends and He delivers His final judgment. He gives a glimpse of this to His disciples in today’s Gospel. Let us also consider His third appearance—to each of us personally, into our hearts and into our lives as we embrace Him as His disciples. As we journey together during this Advent season of waiting, preparation, and anticipation, let us consider how we can welcome Jesus ever more intimately into our lives.

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. As we close the liturgical year with today’s solemnity, it reminds us that Christ is King and ruler over all humanity. He is the king of the eternal heavenly kingdom. To His followers, Jesus referred to this kingdom as the Kingdom of God or his Father’s Kingdom, but through His ultimate act of self-sacrifice He became the firstborn of this kingdom, ready to show us the way.

THANKSGIVING DAY Mass of Thanksgiving, 8:00 am Thanksgiving Basket Collection

Next weekend there will be a special collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Currently 38 million people in the United States live in poverty. This collection funds programs that empower local communities to address the challenge they face. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development supports those living in poverty across the country. It identifies and addresses the unique obstacles people face as they work to lift themselves out of poverty. In addition, 25% of the funds collected remain in the Archdiocese of New Orleans to fund local antipoverty projects. By supporting this collection, you are giving those on the margins a hand up, not a handout.

November 7-13 is National Vocation Awareness Week. As Catholics we firmly believe that God has a plan for our lives. He calls some to marriage, some to the priesthood, and others to religious life or to live as generous single people. Fully living our own vocations—and teaching young people how to discern God’s call—is a serious duty, but also a joyful one. May each one of us continue to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Let us pray that someone from our parish of St. Peter will be open to God’s call to priesthood or religious life.

Tomorrow we celebrate the solemnity of All Saints when we recognize those people who we believe have gained the eternal rewards and are forever in the presence of God. Today, we hear Jesus tell a scribe, “You are not far from the kingdom of God,” suggesting that this anonymous functionary who was close to being a saint. To be a saint should be the goal of every man, woman, and child.

Today is WORLD MISSION SUNDAY. We celebrate this day by remembering our baptismal call—to bring the Gospel to all! Annually, World Mission Sunday is celebrated on the next to last Sunday in October. As described by Saint Pope John-Paul, II, World Mission Sunday is “an important day in the life of the Church because it teaches how to give: as an offering made to God, in the Eucharistic celebration for all the missions of the world” (Redemptoris Mission, 81).

For the past several weeks, we have been listening to the living word of God, which has asked much of all of us. Today, the Lord Jesus ask that whoever among us wishes to be first should become the servant of all. In a society where being in first place is espoused as a great value, this teaching seems difficult to embrace. We pray that, as we reflect on today’s word, we will be strengthened in our resolve to become servants of others.

Living as a disciple of Jesus is a daunting task. Jesus challenges us and the way we live our lives. The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that the “the word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts from the heart. We pray that God’s word will continue to be planted deep within in our hearts, leading us along the road to conversion. As the young man in today’s Gospel approached Jesus, let us approach the Lord with our joys and sorrows, our accomplishments, and disappointments. Take some time this week to allow God’s word to penetrate your heart.

As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its natural end, and every point in between. During October, the Church in the United States, celebrates Respect Life Month, a time in which we are invited to reflect on the dignity of every human life. This year, Respect Life Month, is closely connected with the celebration of the Year of Saint Joseph. During this year, each of us can find in Saint Joseph, “an intercessor, a support, and a guide in times of trouble.” Saint Joseph shows us how to say “yes” to life, despite our fears and frailties. He was the true ‘miracle’ by which God saved the child Jesus and His mother.” May we, too, be ‘miracles’ in the lives of those who are in most need at the beginning of life and the end of life and everyplace in between. Saint Joseph, defender of life, pray for us.

Today, our Gospel readings return to the Gospel of Mark. For the last seven (7) weeks we read from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John on the discourse of the Bread of Life and on the 15 th of August we celebrated the Assumption of Mary. In the Second Reading today, Saint James tells us to “humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers only…” May each one of us take a few minutes today and reflect on how we are implementing Saint James’ instruction.

The theme for today’s Scripture Readings is fidelity between God and His people. Today, we hear Joshua ask the tribes of Israel which god they will serve. They had other options, for their neighbors worshiped other gods. We have other options as well. We could serve wealth or status or power or pleasure, allowing something else to lead us and drive us in another direction. We come here today, along with our families, friends, neighbors, as a sign of our commitment to serve the living God, to follow Christ, the true Bread of Life, as we journey through life to the life promised us at our baptism.

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The feast of the Assumption was first celebrated near Jerusalem where it is said that Mary rested on her way to Bethlehem. By the end of the fifth century, the feast was celebrated at her tomb in the basilica in Gethsemane. Originally, the feast was called the Dormition, “the falling asleep of Mary.” The word “Assumption” wasn’t used until around 770 A.D. Devotion to Mary grew, but liturgical prayer remained vague until November 1, 1950, when Pope Pius XII, in his apostolic constitution, Munificentissimus Deus, declared the Assumption dogma.