In this season of Advent,
as we gather to wait
in the darkness of winter nights
for Jesus our Light to come,
may our hearts be filled
with your joy and promise.

—The Blessing Candles
 

Dear Parishioners and friends of Corpus Christi Parish,

In Advent and Christmas time the Catholic Church calls us to celebrate the Incarnation: God becoming human in Jesus Christ, becoming human with us and for us. It’s true that God’s divine, eternal Son was born in Bethlehem once for all. But it is just as true that the Incarnation, like the mystery of the Cross, continues throughout all time, generation after generation. God is still becoming human by sharing his life with us. St. Augustine said that God became human so that human beings could become God, that is, daughters and sons of God, sharing in his divine life through Jesus Christ.

For most Christians, “Advent,” which means “coming,” remains a time to prepare for the joys of the wondrous season of Christmas.  During this season we would encourage you to take advantage of the numerous opportunities to worship with your parish family. 

Our normal mass schedule is Saturday Vigil 4:00p.m., Sunday Masses at 8:00a.m., and 11:00a.m. On Christmas Eve we will celebrate Mass at 4:00p.m., 7:00p.m., and 10:00p.m. Christmas Day Mass is at 10:00a.m. Please join us and ask your family and friends to come as well. All are welcome in this place.

We wish you all a very blessed Christmas. May the peace, joy and love of Jesus and his Blessed Mother be with you always!  You, and your family, will be remembered in the intentions of our masses this Christmas season.

                                                                                                Peace n’ all good---

                                                                                                Father Jim

“Come back to me with all your heart.”

                                                                          Joel 2:12

My sisters and brothers in Christ,

Whether you are new to our parish or have been a long-time member, please know that you are welcome.  Take a moment to search our website to view the many ministries and events Corpus Christi Church offers.  Each week one of our ministries is highlighted at the end of each Mass.  The coordinator will explain their ministry and invite those interested in finding out more information to see them in the vestibule or in the parish center for hospitality following Mass. Please take a moment explore the possibility of placing your gifts into service for our parish and the wider community.

Also, why not reach out to a family member, friend, neighbor or someone you know that has been away from the Church?  Invite them to attend one of our parish liturgies or other activities.  Jesus invites all to “come and see” the good work He has begun in the “Body of Christ.”

Once again we embark on our Lenten journey toward Easter.  Lent is a time of prayer and renewal and an opportunity to refocus our relationship with God.  We began our Lenten pilgrimage on Ash Wednesday.  As our brothers and sisters have done for generations, we placed ashes on our heads as signs acknowledging our sinfulness and our mortality.  From Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday, the Church keeps a time of penance – a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  

The US Bishop’s Conference is offering a variety of resources to help Catholics observe Lent.   With the theme “Give Up, Take Up, Lift Up,” resources include a new series of audio retreat podcasts in English and Spanish for the Sundays of Lent, video reflections on Lenten themes, and a downloadable Lenten calendar with quotes from Pope Francis’ Message for Lent. . . and other teachings and suggestions for taking an active approach to the three traditional pillars of Lenten observance: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The bishop’s website, found at   (www.usccb.org/lent) also includes facts about saints whose feast days or memorials fall within Lent, a reflection on fasting, information on rediscovering the Sacrament of Penance, and a section on Holy Week observances.

                                                                                                                                Peace n' good,

                                                                                                                                Father Jim

Use Advent wisely! Don’t let the secular “holiday season” rob you of the true meaning and the true richness of our Christian faith and culture.

There are times when we can become so busy with Christmas preparations, that the meaning and real joy of the season can be lost to us. There are times when our actions would indicate that we are lost, even to ourselves. Regardless of our current circumstances, we are never lost to God. While we may be blind to God's presence in our life, God is with us and, if we open ourselves to him, he will show us a way back. Regardless of what may impede us, let us diligently prepare the Way of the Lord.

     Pope Francis reminds us of our mandate to reach out to one another and to the stranger, especially the poor among us.  During this season of “getting ready”, let us reflect on our God who cares about each person. This is a season of welcome and joy.   Let us remember Advent for what it is meant to be: a period of spiritual preparation and penance for the celebration of the birth of our Redeemer.  May this Advent truly be a time of believing in God's love for us.

                                                                                    In His peace-

                                                                                                   Fr Jim