Dear Parishioners,
As I write this bulletin
column, I anticipate enjoying my annual Thanksgiving dinner
with various family members. I certainly realize how truly blessed I
am. I have three brothers and a sister and their
families, who mostly live in close proximity. I am so fortunate to have a
number of people gathered together to share this family day
and traditional meal. Thanksgiving always fell near my mom’s birthday and she
is certainly missed. I will not be doing the cooking this year, as I have done
many times in the past, since my brother’s family graciously offered to host
the dinner.
As I reflect, I remember
those people who would forgo time spent with family and friends to
begin to camp out or stand in line on Black
Friday in order to be early enough to get some advertised bargain at the retail
stores. Thankfully, online sales have curtailed this practice.
Nevertheless, I worry whenever we start to put material things ahead
of family, friendships and relationships. People should
certainly be more important than things, as far as I am
concerned.
Advent begins the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I ponder once
again whether or not this season of preparation for
the Birth of Christ will actually make a difference to most
people. So many people skip the intended Advent preparation and begin
celebrating Christmas much too soon. When Christmas finally arrives,
people are ready to move on to something else. Meanwhile, in the Church, we are
just beginning the actual celebration. According to the Catholic Church’s
calendar, the Christmas season begins on Christmas Eve and lasts to the Baptism of the Lord (this year on
January 11, 2026).
I urge everyone not to
waste precious time by getting caught up in all of the materialism that
the world is concerned about and continually sells us. Rather,
we should take time for the spiritual life. After all, we as humans
are comprised of body and soul. We should make the time for Jesus
Christ and prepare for Him. Personally, I find that when my spiritual
priorities are in order and Christ is forefront in my life,
everything else mysteriously seems to fall into place.
I attempt to
do my part by keeping any Christmas preparation in proper perspective.
My annual Christmas shopping remains almost non-existent. Unfortunately,
I don’t think the economy will be helped by my miniscule number of
purchases. Perhaps, my spiritual life might be deepened
instead.
I know that the
anticipation of the birth of the Christ Child still brings hope to many lives.
For those who try to pray, to spiritually prepare (especially with a
sacramental confession), and even to fast, the joy that comes from
readying our hearts for the coming of Jesus surpasses any temporary, illusory
pleasures that the many TV commercials may promise.
Please do your part to
ready for Christ's coming during these four weeks of Advent and
attempt to forgo turning this preparatory season into a premature Christmas
celebration. While the consumer mentality and secular customs appear to win the
battle, Christians need to put
Christ first and prepare not only to celebrate His birth, but also to ready
ourselves for His Second Coming.
Come Lord Jesus!
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
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