The Christmas-Epiphany season concludes today with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Before Jesus began preaching, teaching, and healing, He came to John to be baptized. Jesus was not baptized because He was sinful, but to signify His union with sinful humanity. The Spirit of God descended upon Jesus and God’s voice called out, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” As Christians baptized with the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to carry on Jesus’ mission.

Happy New Year and Happy Epiphany! For some, all the Christmas decorations are packed away for another year. The Church continues to celebrate Christmas with the Feast of the Epiphany. The Christmas season actually concludes with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 12 th .

As we continue our Christmas celebration, today, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Some may think that the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is too remote, too special, too holy to be an effective model for our families. However, like our families, they enjoyed great times of joy but also suffered through terrible hardships. The delight of a newborn baby was accompanied by the fear that led them to flee to a foreign land.

We were all taught that an angel appeared to Mary and announced that she was to bear a son and call him Jesus. Matthew’s Gospel is the only one who tells how the birth of Jesus came about through the lens of Joseph, betrothed of Mary. An angel has instructions for Joseph too. The angel told him not to be afraid to take Mary into his home, and he did.

Today, on this Third Sunday of Advent, is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday because the theme for the readings is rejoice. You will notice that Deacon Richard and I are wearing “rose/ pink vestments”.

Wrapped gifts with ornament tags must be returned to the rectory no later than December 13th.

Our second collection this weekend is for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Thousands of senior Catholic Sisters, Brothers, and religious order Priests spent years working in Catholic schools, hospitals, and agencies—often for little or no pay. Now, their religious communities do not have enough savings for retirement and eldercare. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious helps provide medications, nursing care, and more. It also helps ensure younger members can continue the good works of their orders. Please be generous in today’s second collection.

The six week book study was attended by over 22 people from 4 different church Parishes , St Peter’s , St Hubert’s , St Joan of Arc and AOL. It ended on November 26th with a closing prayer and refreshments donated by Ms Regina Remondet and Rachel Triche and cookies by Lori Hattala . The table of socks and other items were donated by the group for the Veterans and will be given to them by members of our group on Friday Dec 6th

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, which is also the first Sunday of a new liturgical year for the Church. The Advent season includes the four Sundays that precede Christmas. It is a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord. In this season, we recall two central elements of our faith: the final coming of the Lord in glory and the incarnation of the Lord in the birth of Jesus. Key themes of the Advent season are watchful waiting, preparation, and justice.

Thursday, November 28th is THANKSGIVING DAY. Please join me in giving thanks to God at the 8:00 A.M. Mass on Thanksgiving Day. Remember that there will not be a 6:30 A.M. Mass on Thanksgiving Day—only the 8:00 A.M. Mass

Today, as a Church, we conclude the Liturgical Year and celebrate it with “The Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.” The Gospel for this Sunday shows the great mystery of our faith: In the moment of His crucifixion, Jesus is shown to be King and Savior of all.

Pope Francis has designated today, November 17 as World Day for the Poor. In this year’s message, Pope Francis reflects on Psalm 9:9, “The hope of the poor will not perish forever.” The Holy Father considers the suffering of people who experience poverty, noting that they maintain hope in the Lord in a very real way because he assures them of his faithfulness. Pope Francis challenges us to be authentic witnesses of Christian hope and to accompany the poor through a personal and constant commitment over time.

Reminder, Altar Society dues are being collected. ---------------------------------The Ladies Altar Society is an important ministry of St. Peter Parish. Monies collected and members help to maintain the sanctuary and some other areas of the interior of the church. The organization is being re-structured. Dues ($10) will be collected and one or two of the regular fundraisers will occur. This will provide income to continue to fund projects for the church. A committee of three will meet three or four times a year in order to maintain the business of this organization. If you want to be a part of this ministry, dues of $10 can be put in the collection basket at Mass or brought to the rectory. Please contact Father Marse if you would like to be part of the leadership committee.

On Monday, November 11 th , we celebrate Veterans Day. It is a day dedicated to all member of the United States Armed Forces who served God and country as being part of the Armed Forces. For those men and women who served in the Armed Forces, as well as those who are currently serving in the Armed Forces, I thank you for your commitment to God and country.

The week of November 3-9 is National Vocation Awareness Week. It is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. Here, at St. Peter’s, we will pray the Vocations Prayer at every Mass. We also need to help our young people to explore the possibility of a church related vocation as a priest, brother or sister. Let us continue to pray and foster vocations in our parish and archdiocese. At the entrances of the church is the new vocation poster of the men studying for the priesthood. On the tables is a prayer card with the pictures of the seminarians. I invite you to take one home and specifically pray for a seminarian.