Weekly Newsletter
For the Week of Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022
Second Sunday of Advent
Taking on the "Mind of Christ"
Pastor's Letter by Fr. Vincent Gilmore, Dec. 4, 2022
Dear Parishioners,
Our Scripture passage for this Sunday, the Second Sunday of Advent, introduces the person of John the Baptist and his ministry of preparing the way for Jesus. Advent is a time of preparation, and the image of John the Baptist offers some insightful challenges as we strive to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of our Savior again at Christmas.
The first part of John’s preaching calls on the crowds to repent. The word “repent” comes from the Greek word metanoia and literally means to “re-think” or “change one’s mind”. John preaches this message because our actions stem from our thoughts. If we want to change our lives, we have to change our thinking first. The call to repent is the invitation to see things from “God’s perspective” and to take on the “mind of Christ”. When we see the situations of our lives from God’s point of view, we will correctly prioritize our values and the way we live our lives.
Being a disciple is not a matter of following rules and regulations or just external observances. Rather, it is a matter of living in deep communion with God and expressing that communion in the way we act. Conversion means to “turn towards” the Lord and occurs in moments when a person’s life is re-directed toward God. These moments can be born from a realization of God’s presence, God’s Love, and God’s forgiveness. Conversion occurs when we willingly refocus our lives on God.
This Thursday is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is the special Feast in which we honor Our Lady in her purity and sinlessness as God was preparing her to be the Mother of Jesus, the Son of God. You might realize that Our Lady under the title of the Immaculate Conception is the Patroness of The United States of America. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation. Come and honor Our Lady and pray for our Country.
The Vigil Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception will be Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. Please note that this a change from the normal Wednesday Mass time. Confession will be at 4:30 p.m. Please stay for the Faith Night dinner at 6 p.m. with a presentation and Religious Education to follow. I will be talking about Advent and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On Thursday, Dec. 8 the Mass will be at 8:30 a.m.
Canceled Event Dec. 4:
Afternoon at the Movies Celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Due to weather concerns, The Magnificat: Beloved Children of Mary ministry has canceled the afternoon movie and lunch event to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception originally scheduled for this Sunday, Dec. 4. The movie and lunch event will be rescheduled in May.
Upcoming This Week
Holy Day Mass Schedule: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, 5 pm
St. Mary of the Rosary
Followed by Faith Night at 6 pm (Confessions moved to 4:30 pm)
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, 8:30 am
St. Mary of the Rosary
All-Parish Faith Night (Meal: Soup Supper)
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, 6 pm
Since Faith Night was canceled last week due to the big snowfall, we will plan to have the Soup Supper for this week's Faith Night dinner. Please let Kellie Trudeau know if you would like to provide a soup or bread for dinner that evening.
With the Vigil Mass for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 5:00 pm on Dec. 7, everyone's encouraged to stay for dinner at 6 pm - with faith formation (for all ages) starting at 6:30 pm. Confessions have been moved up to 4:30 pm to accommodate the earlier mass time. A note for the Religious Education families: With the Christmas Pageant coming up Dec. 21, please look out for information on participating. During this week's Dec. 7 Faith Night, students will be assigned their roles in the pageant and be fitted for costumes.
Ladies Auxiliary Meeting
Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, 10:30 am
St. Mary's Ladies Auxiliary will meet in St. Mary's Library this Friday, Dec. 9 at 10:30 am after Adoration. We'll discuss the luncheon and ways we can support the parish with the money raised. All women are invited!
St. Mary's Coffee and Donuts
Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, 11 am
Coffee and donuts will be served after 10 a.m. mass in Chewelah Sunday, Dec. 11. Please join us.
Save the Date: Wednesday, Dec. 21
All-Parish Christmas Party and Pageant
This year's All-Parish Christmas Party will be Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 6 pm (in place of the regular Faith Night program). It will begin with a Christmas Pageant in St. Mary's sanctuary organized by Religious Education students and volunteers. Please come enjoy this wonderful story and song program as young students portray characters in the Nativity story. A potluck Christmas dinner will follow in St. Mary's Parish Hall. Everyone's invited to this wonderful celebration.