The Second Sunday of Advent

December 8, 2024

GOSPEL MEDITATION

In the year 1995, in the seventeenth year of my life, when Fife Symington was governor of Arizona, Bill Clinton was president of the United States, Chuck Keiffer was pastor of St. Theresa parish in Phoenix, Arizona, and Ron and Mary were my parents, the word of God came to my youth minister Eric and through him I started to see the salvation of God. Soon, Christ came into my life never to leave. I’m thankful beyond words.

Why am I being so specific, you ask? Because in the Gospel this week we hear the specific names of people holding civic and religious authority in first century Palestine when “the word of God came to John the Baptist:” Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip, Lysanias, Annas, Caiaphas, and Zechariah. All this is meant to help us see that God breaks into our history, into real human events. Jesus is no mere myth. He is the Word-whichbreaks- in, in concrete moments, you might say. And now we anticipate his coming once again in our specific situations.

Advent challenge: Name as many civic and religious leaders who are in authority currently in your life. Now, name who the potential John the Baptists may be. A spouse? A friend? A podcaster? A work colleague who brings God’s word to you? Spend a moment considering that this comprises the concrete, historical setting into which Christ wishes to come. Then, with these specifics in mind, pray: “Come, Lord Jesus. Come.”
- Father John Muir

PRO-LIFE CORNER

We are called to love. We practice it in turn by intervening to assist our brothers and sisters in need. Love, therefore, fuels the pro-life movement. Love demands that we act to save the babies and assist women to make lifegiving choices. It also demands that we assist women who have had abortions to find forgiveness, healing, and peace.
NCCB

SACRED HEART FOOD PANTRY

Due to the upcoming Christmas holiday, the food pantry will be open on December 4 and December 11 for regular distribution of food. The special Christmas order will be given out on December 18 to clients who previously signed up. The food pantry will be closed December 25 and will resume service on January 8. Our volunteers wish everyone a blessed Christmas and a healthy and peaceful New Year!

SACRED HEART FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE

You are invited to bring an ornament to place on the Sacred Heart Family Christmas Tree. The tree will be located near the cantor stand and you will be responsible for placing the ornament on the tree and removing it after Christmas. As a family, create a home-made ornament; purchase one that has special meaning for you or as a memorial to your loved ones. The intent is to display as ornament that represents your family. Feel free to place your family name or family member’s names on the ornament. Start a tradition; share your family with our Sacred Heart Family!

THANK YOU!

The volunteers of the Sacred Heart Food Pantry would like to express their sincere thanks to everyone for the generous donations of food items and the monetary donation collected on Thanksgiving. Your generosity, financial support, and prayers throughout the year make this ministry possible. Our gratitude is also extended to Fr. Lubo, our volunteers and staff for their dedication.

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP

The readings for the Second Week of Advent offer both encouragement and challenge during this brief but important season of the liturgical year. Recall from last week that the purpose of this season is reflection on and preparation for the two “comings” of Christ – His coming as a baby on the great feast of Christmas, and the anticipation of His second coming at the end of time.

Until He comes again, we must remain faithful to Him as true disciples and good stewards of all the gifts He has given us. While it can be tempting to give in to the materialism and calls for selfindulgence that surround us, our First Reading calls us back to the spiritual reality that this life is passing and that we are made for eternal life with God. We are called to prepare for eternal life by the way that we use our time, our talents, and our treasure now.

This Advent let’s turn away from any bad habits or sin that may have crept into our lives and turn our hearts and minds back to Christ. This is what the stewardship way of life is all about – moving ever closer in relationship with Christ and imitation of Him, ready to celebrate His birth, with eyes fixed on eternal life with Him.
- Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

A Family Perspective

Like John the Baptist, every parent “prepares the way of the Lord” in the hearts of their children. Advent is a good time to ask; “Do I help or hinder my children to know Jesus?”
- Bud Ozar

Prayer Requests

Kathy Ansman, Mark Blackie, Rod Baronner, Dan Bauer, Dave Bauer, Damian Branas, Vince Bumann, Jack Chilcote, Harry Chirdon, Karen Claar, Brandon Conaway, Shirley Conlon, Denise Conrad, James Conrad, Kathy Corl, William Costlow, Bob Decker, Colette DiMemmo, Tim Dodson, Joan Donnelly, Matthew Dorman, Nate Dorman, Amelia Doughurty, Lois Duncan, Thomas Duncan, Sam Dunio, Paul Dunmire, Ashley Eagen, Corinda Ermin, Ruth Ann Frederick, Herman Frederick, Phyllis Hauser, Leighton Hess, Dolly Holzer, Lucy Horton, Raymond Kargo, Russell Keith, Kenny Anthony Keagy, John Kleine, Sue Koehle, Paula J. Lafferty, Ruth Lamca, Cyndi Lansberry, John Leshene, Beth Lloyd, Lou Maierhofer, Charles McGrain, Shirley McIntyre,Mason Wayne McManus, Paul Angelo Morelli, Bev Mueller, Bonnie Neal, Jessica Neff, Lee Neff, Kevin O'Rourke, Sarah Rihnovich, Patti Robinson, Gary Rupert Jr, Nancy Servello,Laura Snyder, Alex Walter, Margo Wascherl, Alan Watson, Joan Weston,HankWilliams, Renee Williams, Mikayla Yanchik.

If you would like to add a sick or hospitalized person to our prayer list or readd a person, please call the rectory office, at 943-8553. Parishioners of Saint Mary are encouraged and welcome to participate. Remember, you must have the permission of the ill person/family to publish their name.

Sacred Heart Church