Pastor’s Message – Church of Saint Benedict

December 12, 2025

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

O God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.

Collect for the Mass on Gaudete Sunday

Brothers and Sisters,

The Scripture readings at Mass this coming Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday speak of patience as we prepare to welcome Christ. Preparedness and patience are main themes of the Advent Season. As we prepare to celebrate on Christmas Day the First Coming of Christ, we are challenged to be ready to welcome Christ in His future Second Coming, and in the present moment.

What makes the preparation and patient waiting possible is the desire to welcome Christ. The brief Season of Advent is to awaken in us this desire, to cry out “Lord, come and save us” (Psalm 146) that we will sing this Sunday. We recognize our need for God’s mercy and forgiveness made flesh in the Person of Jesus. We seek to be healed of our indifference, doubts, despair, fear and anxiety. We look for the Lord to save us.

Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God, desires to be with us in the present moment. We can encounter Him most profoundly in the gift of the Eucharist, for Him to live in us. This opportunity is offered to us at every Mass in the Sacrament of the Altar.

For this Third Week of Advent there are two additional opportunities to welcome Christ. Both are Sacraments of Healing. The Anointing of the Sick will be offered at the conclusion of all the Masses this Sunday. Those who are elderly, the chronically ill and those preparing for medical procedures are invited to approach the altar. Fr. Archie and I will anoint them with the consecrated Oil of the Infirm.

On Tuesday, December 16 is our Advent Reconciliation Service. In addition to our usual weekly confession schedule, on Tuesday there will be ten priests available from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Confessions will be heard in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

In the gift of grace of the Advent Season may we desire to always welcome Christ.

Our Parish

Parishioner James “Bud” Sakmary, age 79, died on December 6 after a long illness. Our condolences to his wife Priscilla, their family and friends. Bud’s funeral Mass was earlier today at the parish church.

Following tomorrow’s Saturday Vigil Mass for Gaudete Sunday we will be turning on the exterior lights that decorate the church and chapel buildings. People are welcome to gather at the bell tower for this event. Refreshments will be served.

Congratulations to James and Teaghan Whitworth, who this Sunday will make a Profession of Faith and be received into full communion with the Catholic Church.

The Knights of Columbus will be serving a Pancake Breakfast this Sunday in McGuire Hall after the 9:00am Mass.

Bambinelli Blessing

This Advent we are introducing a new tradition to our parish, the Bambinelli Blessing. Families are invited to bring the Baby Jesus (bambinelli in Italian) figurine from their home Nativity scenes to the parish church for a blessing. The blessing will take place at all Masses for the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

Vocations

Matthew McClain, a seminarian for our Diocese, is being ordained as a transitional deacon. Several years ago, he spent his summer assignment at St. Benedict. There will be a Vespers Service for him at Holy Family Cathedral on Thursday, December 18 starting at 6:00pm. The ordination Mass will be on Friday, December 19 at 6:00pm, also at Holy Family. Both liturgies are open to the public. Please keep him in your prayers as he prepares for ordination to the priesthood in 2026.

Christmas Schedule

On Christmas Eve we will have Mass at 5:00pm, 8:00pm, and Midnight. A music program will precede each Mass. Mass on Christmas Day will be at 10:00am. A Second Collection will be taken at all Masses to benefit the retired priests of the Diocese.

Please personally invite at least one person/family to come to Christmas Mass with you. All are welcome!

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the St. Scholastica Chapel will be suspended from Noon, Saturday, December 20 until Monday, January 5 at 6:00am. The chapel will be open prior to Mass on the weekends and Christmas for private prayer.

The parish office will be closed from Wednesday, December 24 through Thursday, January 1. It will reopen on Friday, January 2.

Personal Note

Thank you for the hospitality that was shown to my mom, Mary Brooks, during her recent visit. A special word of thanks to those who provided meals and other acts of kindness.

God bless and keep you safe.

Fr. Bryan