PASTORATE ADVENT MISSION: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY?
Who is leading our Advent Mission?
Fr. Jewel Aytona, CPM, is a missionary preacher with the Congregation of the Fathers of Mercy in Auburn, KY. He travels throughout the country conducting parish missions and retreats, spreading the good news of the Mercy of God and the teachings of the Catholic Faith, nourishing souls with the Bread of Life and being an instrument to reconcile souls with God.
What is a Pastorate Mission?
A Mission is a special time in our Pastorate community when we gather together to gain further insight into a faith filled life. It is a time for grace and renewal of the pastorate, especially during this season of Advent as we prepare for the coming of Jesus. Pope Saint John Paul II adds that “the traditional parish mission apparently abandoned too readily is without a substitute for the periodic and vigorous renewal of the Christian life and must be restored and innovated.” During a mission, the people of the pastorate gather each evening for a series of conferences on the fundamental truths of the Catholic Faith, including the Ten Commandments, the Real Presence of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, devotion to our Blessed Mother, and the forgiveness of sins in the Sacrament of Penance.
When and Where will the mission take place in our Pastorate?
Sunday, December 12th: Mission Talk 1 at 2:00pm CT/ 3:00pm ET at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Goodland Confessions will be available an hour before and after the talk
Monday, December 13th: Mission Talk 2 at 6:00pm CT/ 7:00pm ET at Sacred Heart Fulcher Center, Remington Confessions will be available an hour before the talk Penance Service after the talk, three priests available for confessions
Tuesday, December 14th: Mission Talk 3 at 6:00pm CT/ 7:00pm ET at St. Augustine, Rensselaer, 5:30pm Mass before Talk, Confessions will be available for an hour after the talk; two priests available for confessions.
Wednesday, December 15th: Mission Talk 4 at 6:00 pm CT/ 7:00ET at St. Augustine, Rensselaer, Confessions will be available an hour before the Talk (Confesiones en español disponibles después de la charla). Penance Service after the talk, four priests available for confessions.
Why have a mission?
A mission is a unique opportunity in the life of any parish and pastorate, as a missionary priest comes to bring wisdom and insights into the Faith, here to our local community. The role of missionary preachers is as old as the Christian Faith itself; we see in our Gospel today the great forerunner, John the Baptist, giving missions at the banks of the Jordan calling people to repentance in preparation for the coming of the Christ. We also see Jesus himself going from town to town, preaching and teaching the precepts of the new covenant, giving missions all throughout Judea and Galilee during his public ministry. We also see Christ sending the apostles out, with authority, to preach, teach and heal in his name, to go out and proclaim the message of the Gospel into whatever town they enter.
The Catholic Church is fundamentally, at its core, a missionary Church, as we are all, by our baptisms, sent out on mission to live and proclaim the faith that has been handed on to us. But all of us need help in our individual mission’s. Thus, we have these missionary guides who come to us to nourish our souls and to help inspire us in the truths of the Faith so that after our Pastorate Mission is completed, we can continue in our own missions as disciples of Christ and boldly living out the Christian Faith.
I challenge you to make this a priority for you and your family this Advent. I know there are many things that demand our time and attention; so perhaps you might consider this the gift you are giving to Christ this Christmas, as you commit to deepening your faith and your relationship with Him over these four upcoming days.
The Immaculate Conception of Mary on December 8th is a Holy Day of Obligation, required for all Catholics. Please see the schedule below for Mass times and locations.
God Bless,
Fr. Bennett
Sacred Heart of Jesus – Have Mercy on Us
Immaculate Heart of Mary – Pray for Us
Sts. Michael the Archangel, Joseph, Peter, Paul, Augustine – Pray for Us