From Reflection to Renewal: An Advent Message

“The story of every human life begins with birth and ends with death. In the Person of Christ, however, it was His death that was first and His life that was last.” – Venerable Fulton Sheen

We are marching our way now into the heart of the Advent season as we patiently await the coming of Christ in the Christmas season and reflect on Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time.

Preparing ourselves to meet Jesus Christ is not something new, of course, we just discussed the importance of preparation in the context of our own death throughout the month of November in our homily series “Arise: On Death and Dying.”

As I began our homily series on November 1^st and 2^nd, I mentioned that this was likely the most difficult topic to preach about among the five topics we have covered since 2023. There certainly were challenges that presented themselves throughout the four weeks, but we are grateful that this series led to the most feedback and follow-up that we have had from any of our previous series.

This homily series led to many good interactions, encounters, and conversations beyond the weekend Masses. Fr. John and I were grateful to meet with more than a dozen individuals for initial funeral planning meetings. The 25 printed copies of the Wisconsin Catholic Bishops’ 2024 document on death and dying all walked out of the parish within the first two days of the month. We printed several more copies upon request and are still willing to do so for any who are interested. Our cemetery administrator Ellen O’Brien initiated several meetings throughout the month assisting those preparing for a proper Christian burial at our cemetery. We all – clergy and parish staff – remain committed to helping you prepare for the reality of death and to support you in the journey of grief.

You heard last weekend Deacon Tom preach on the theme of not being left behind. He introduced again “The Search” which is a seven-week series of group sessions we will begin hosting at the parish during the week of January 11^th. The seven videos presented in the series will lead us all to more confidently and clearly consider the fundamental questions of life, meaning, and faith in Christ Jesus.

In the solemn blessing that can be used at the end of Masses during Advent, the second invocation says: “As you run the race of this present life, may he make you firm in faith, joyful in hope and active in charity.” As our Advent journey leads us to the end of our Jubilee Year of Hope, let us be joyful in the Lord for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Gracias a Dios.