Dear Friends in Christ,

What is the purpose of Advent?  According to the General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar #39, Advent has a 2-fold character: (1) as a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ's first coming to us is remembered; (2) as a season when that remembrance directs the mind & heart to await Christ's Second Coming at the end of time.  Advent is thus a period for devout & joyful expectation.

The Preface of Advent (the prayer prior to the Holy, Holy, Holy gives that same 2-fold character.  The priests prays: (1) “For he (Jesus) assumed at his first coming the lowliness of human flesh, and so fulfilled the design you formed long ago, and opened for us the way to eternal salvation, (2) that, when he comes again in glory and majesty and all is at last made manifest, we who watch for that day may inherit the great promise in which now we dare to hope.”  The above supports the ancient saying, Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi (the law of praying is the law of believing is the law of living).

Why do we not sing the Gloria during Advent?  Advent is that period for devout & joyful expectation, not only to remember the birth of Christ & how we are challenged to live the life of Christ but to prepare for His Second Coming.  Part of living a Christian life & preparation are to amend one’s life through prayer & penance.  To prepare is to strive to remove anything that might separate us from God, especially sin.  A crucial way to do so is to go to confession to receive the graces of that Sacrament.   To mark the penitential nature of Advent (and Lent) is the omission of the Gloria at Sunday Mass.  The Gloria will return at the Christmas Masses.  How appropriate for the Gloria’s return when we hear in the Scriptures how the angels who announced to the shepherds the arrival of the Messiah by singing “Gloria in Excelsis Deo,” or “Glory to God in the highest.”

But during the Season of Advent we will sing (or recite) the Gloria on feast days since the Church rejoices in the triumph of her saints.   For example, St. Andrew (Nov. 30), the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), or Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12), we will sing the Gloria.

On Tuesday, Dec. 6^th, the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Nicholas.  But also on Dec. 6^th at the 6:30 pm Mass, we will also celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe which is normally celebrated on Dec. 12^th.  The Archdiocese also transfers its celebration to a different day, to a Sunday.   Why are we moving the celebration of this feast day?  We were able to secure at the last moment some dancers called “Los matachines.”  They are a group of dancers with its origins back to Spain in the early 17^th century.  They are now also prevalent in Mexico & Peru, etc.   They dance to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary.  You are invited to come at 6 pm for the praying of the Rosary & then for the 6:30 pm Mass.  After Mass, we will have a reception in Kolbe Hall with the cultural dancers of Los matachines and hot chocolate & pan dulce (sweet bread).

The feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe is very special to many people who have roots or ancestors from Mexico since Mary appeared in Mexico.   But on Oct. 12, 1945, Pope Pius XII decreed Our Lady of Guadalupe to be the “Patroness of all the Americas.”  And people’s love & affection for Our Lady of Guadalupe extend throughout all the world.  So let us all come out on Dec. 6^th to celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe & St. Nicholas.

There are many projects going on at the same time.  The lighting project has begun.  As I stated at all the Masses last weekend, the project will not be complete or perfect when they finish installing all the new LED light bulbs.   The new dimmer panels will not arrive until the end of January at the earliest.  The current dimmer panels are not LED compatible.  The lights will work provided they are at full capacity, and we do not attempt to dim the LED lights.  So the church will be much brighter and perhaps more light than need be until we secure the new dimmer panels.

The new organ is scheduled be installed starting Monday, Dec. 5^th, provided there are no other delays since we were hoping it would have been installed 2 weeks ago.  The new playground equipment for Kolbe Kids is being installed.  Many, though not all, of the renovations in the Gajowniczek Education Building have been completed for Kolbe Kids.  These improvements are possible only due to a federal grant.  Any such expenditure from this grant must benefit any childcare program like our Kolbe Kids.

If you enjoy eating at The Backyard Grill at 9453 Jones Rd, Houston, 77065 (281—897-9200), please patronize them Sunday, Dec. 11^th thru Sunday Dec. 18^th inclusive.  Mention to your server you are from St. Maximilian Kolbe Church.  At the conclusion of your meal, you will be handed a card to provide your info & your total bill amount. Then 15% of your bill will be donated back to our church by this restaurant.  Enjoy a good meal, and our parish will benefit.  Thank you to the generosity of the Backyard Grill.

St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us!

Fr. Lawrence W. Jozwiak

Pastor