OUR SUNDAY’S IN NOVEMBER

We start this month with two important Holy Days – All Saints on November 1st and All Souls on November 2nd.

It is with the Grace of and to the Glory of God, that the Archdiocese has, on Sunday, November 2, 2008 opened the doors to a new parish – Our Lady Of Sorrows – in Wallingford, CT. The first Mass was celebrated by Archbishop John and con-celebrated with Bishop Robert, who is the Vicar of this new parish. The Church is located at 107 South Cherry Street, in Wallingford, CT., and the weekly celebration of the Eucharist will be at 12 noon. We are blessed with a full size parish hall and an institutional kitchen for the future possibilities of parish dinners and events. Coffee “and” was enjoyed by all who attended the first Mass. Please pray for the continued weekly support of Our Lady of Sorrows.

We should, as we rapidly approach the season of Advent, make God first. As we pondered the end of time on All Souls Day, we were reminded that even in death, God still seeks to save us.

Catholicism is about a relationship with a person – Jesus Christ. All that the Church teaches is an effort to place us in an ultimate relationship with Christ. “Fear of the Lord” is about love. It is not about being afraid of God, it is about being afraid that we might offend God. Is our own foundation solid? Are we afraid of disappointing God? Watch and prepare!

Advent, the beginning of a new Church year begins on Sunday, November 30th. Advent is about waiting. During Advent we will review the prophecies of the Messiah who would come, so that we can fully appreciate the feast of the Incarnation – the arrival of the Messiah.

Through Mark’s Gospel passage, Jesus tells us to watch. We certainly must prepare for Christmas in our homes and in our hearts, but this is simply a rehearsal for the real wait, waiting for Christ to come again.

May we take this coming season of Advent and prepare – look inwardly at our souls and examine our sins, our relationships with others and the part our faith plays in our daily lives. Watch and prepare!

The most rev. john p. Walzer, D.D.