On this third Sunday of Advent, we light the rose candle of JOY in our Advent Wreaths. We choose to focus on JOY for the next 7 days because our time of actively waiting to celebrate EMMANUEL, "God with Us" is half way done! We have rounded the corner and are coming into the homestretch of Advent! Now, I don't know about you, but when I think about the fact that GOD, the creator of the entire universe, left heaven to become like you and me because he wanted us to know how much we are loved, I get filled with this deep down sense of wonder, awe, and abiding contentment. I call that feeling JOY, but what is joy, really? Is it the same as happiness? How do we find it and hold on to it and live it? Father Mike Schmitz has some thoughts about all of those questions:
And now, let's take a few moments to reflect on "JOY" and what you just watched/heard with the following two minute meditation:
A little formation, a little reflection, and now a little song about JOY. I couldn't help but smile while I watched... I hope that you do too:
A Few Tidbits of Info
1. Over the past year, many of you have enjoyed listening to Father Mike Schmitz's "BIBLE IN A YEAR" podcast. On January 1, he invites you on a year long journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church. For more information you can click on the link to watch the trailer:
2. Last week's Flocknote included the Adult Faith Formation calendar for January and February. I do have one addition and one correction so I hope that you wrote on your new calendars in pencil:
1/4 Afternoon Bible Break Begins
1/11 Wednesday Morning Scripture Study Begins
1/12 Laidback Book Club Discussion of UNOFFENDABLE
1/17, 1/24, 1/31 A Three Part Series on Ways to Pray
1/19 Theater and Theology: Just Mercy viewing and discussion 6:30-9:00 ***possible afternoon session as well if there is interest
1/2o Whole Parish Family Game Night: Including a Euchre Tournament
1/22 Laidback Book Club: Father James Martin's LEARNING TO PRAY
1/12 Laidback Book Club Discussion of UNOFFENDABLE
1/17, 1/24, 1/31 A Three Part Series on Ways to Pray
1/19 Theater and Theology: Just Mercy viewing and discussion 6:30-9:00 ***possible afternoon session as well if there is interest
1/2o Whole Parish Family Game Night: Including a Euchre Tournament
1/22 Laidback Book Club: Father James Martin's LEARNING TO PRAY
1/28 Beyond the Nudge: Rediscovering the Gifts of the Holy Spirit with Father Alberto Vargas
2/5 Small Faith Group Sign Up Sunday
2/6 Norb Bufka Presents "A Short History of the Catholic Church in the US"
2/7 Box Full of Love Annual Event
2/10 Whole Parish Family Talent Show
2/11 Milestone Marriages Celebration
2/19 Lenten Small Faith Groups Begin
2/5 Small Faith Group Sign Up Sunday
2/6 Norb Bufka Presents "A Short History of the Catholic Church in the US"
2/7 Box Full of Love Annual Event
2/10 Whole Parish Family Talent Show
2/11 Milestone Marriages Celebration
2/19 Lenten Small Faith Groups Begin
3/1 The History of the Creed with Edmund Stark
"Joy adapts and changes, but it always endures, even as a flicker of light born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, WE ARE INFINITELY LOVED."
Wishing you the JOY of knowing without a doubt, in the deepest part of your heart and soul, that no matter your choices or your circumstances, you are infinitely loved!