My good brothers and sisters,

This coming Sunday Holy Mother Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King, marking the last Sunday before the Season of Advent. 

Now, this might seem like a strange feast to celebrate: In our modern day and age, the concept of a king might seem like an outdated relic from the past. We tend to think that democracy (or a democratic republic) is always and everywhere the best political path to take, but did you know that St. Thomas Aquinas and the philosopher Aristotle both thought that monarchy was the best form of government?

Imagine, for a moment, that our country was ruled by a king who loved his people and sought to create laws that would encourage honest commerce, fraternal cooperation, and justice for all peoples. There would be no jockeying for political power between parties or the seemingly never-ending commentary and outrage on the news.

This might seem like a fantasy, but in fact there were good kings in queens throughout history and they were beloved by their people for the community and society they fostered. Yet, there were also bad kings and queens who ruled as tyrants, living off the wealth of their people without care for their good, so eventually the people sought new forms of government like republics and democracies. 

Yet it remains: the best form of government is a king who truly loves his people and seeks their greatest good. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is such a King who does not rule as a tyrant, but with True Love and Charity, never coercing but always inviting us to seek our own good and the good of our neighbor (by choosing virtue and avoiding sin). He wants to be the King of our Hearts, but he will not take the throne by force. We must first step down from the throne of our own hearts to give way to the one, true King. The more we do so in each area of our life, the more we will find the Joy that only Jesus brings and there we will discover who we truly are: Sons and Daughters of God the Most High. 

May the Good Lord bless you as we celebrate Christ the King with Advent just on the horizon!

-fr. hynes

PS -- Don't forget to check below for news and events from our Church, especially the Presentation on Music and Worship with Holy Cross Cathedral's Music Director, Richard Clark tomorrow night!

Archdiocesan and Cathedral Director of Music Richard Clark explores the role of sacred music in our worshiping communities. He also explores the role of music in the liturgy, one that is sometimes misunderstood. Music is so vital to our lives, faith, and worship. The health and social benefits of singing will also be discussed. Please join us in this presentation and discussion! Refreshments will served and enter to win a $50 gift card to Amazon.com! All are welcome to attend this free event.

Advent is a special time for us to walk with Joseph and Mary as they prepare to receive the Savior of the World into their arms and into their family. As an aid to help us enter more deeply into the spirit of the season, Fr. Hynes will be leading the parish in a weekly Holy Hour and Guided Meditation on the Tuesdays of Advent: Nov 29, Dec 6, Dec 13, & Dec 20 @ 7:00 PM in the church.

Fr. Hynes is looking for volunteers who can help us start and coordinate Coffee and Donuts after the 9:00 AM Mass. As a way to encourage attendance he's promised to read a children's book for the first four weeks if we can find enough volunteers to continue offering Coffee and Donuts each week. Please email him at fatherhynes@gmail.com if you're willing to help.

Altar Servers:
Fr. Maxwell is looking for new recruits to serve at the altar. Altar Servers assist the priest at the altar and help the church community worship with reverence and devotion. If you are between the ages 9 and 20, we invite you to share this special privilege of becoming an active altar server in our parish. If interested, please contact Fr. Maxwell Chukwudiebere at 781-762-6080 Ext. 118 or frmaxwell@stcatherinenorwood.org

Believe it or not, Advent (and then Christmas!) will soon be upon us. This season has such beautiful music. If you have been thinking about joining choir, why not try it out for the Advent/Christmas seasons? Our Adult Choir meets from 7 to 8 PM on Thursday evenings in the Church and is open to everyone from high school age on up.We sing at the 11 AM Mass as well as other special Masses, including Christmas. Please email our Music Director (musicdirector@stcatherinenorwood.org) for more info!

Our Children's Choir meets from 2:30 to 3:30 PM in the school cafeteria and sings a few times a month at the 9 AM Mass, special events such as Christmas Eve 6 PM Mass and for students of St. Catherine of Siena School, school Masses. The Children's Choir is open to all children from the parish and school who have received their First Communion up to 8th Grade. Both choirs offer the chance to build friendships, confidence, and faith through music! We hope you will join us this season! Please email our Music Director (musicdirector@stcatherinenorwood.org) for more info!