Dear Friends in Christ,

On this Third Sunday of Advent, also called Gaudete Sunday, Christ reveals to us that He is the only true reason for rejoicing.  Christ calls us to rejoice for He is near, He is coming soon.  He is coming as the Light that dispels the dark winter nights of our lives - our sufferings and pain, our miseries and sorrows, our trials and difficulties. He is the Light that gives warmth and healing to our broken hearts.  He is the Light that shines for eternity, and no darkness can prevail over it.

How do we let Christ's light enter and invade the nooks and corners of our hearts?  God's Word, through the letter of St. Paul, gives us the answer: do the will of God for us in Christ Jesus: rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in all circumstances give thanks.  We rejoice because Christ, our Messiah is always in our midst.  He is present through His Divine Spirit dwelling in our souls.  As we invoke the Holy Spirit, He comes to our aid and guides us in doing what is good and pleasing to the Lord, and fortifies our will to refrain from all kinds of evil. Christ is ever present and comes with His saving light in each Eucharistic Sacrifice, an eternal thanksgiving celebration, where He pours out His love and graces to nourish and strengthen us to do the will of God and work for His Kingdom. And when darkness creeps in due to our sins and rebellious ways, we have hope that the light of Christ's merciful love will reignite us through the sacrament of reconciliation.    

So let us rejoice, for Christ who calls us to live in His light, is faithful. His Word stands forever true.  He will accomplish in us what He has promised.  Christ will help us keep our gaze on His light, inspiring us to keep on praying, trusting, offering Him thanks, and glorifying His will.  

With firm hope that Christ will preserve us blameless and prepared for His coming and grant us peace forevermore.

In Christ, with thanks and rejoicing,

Rev. Jonathan Paala

Pastor

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1) All are invited to attend the REDEDICATION of OUR LADY of GUADALUPE tomorrow, Saturday, December 12th, at 10:00AM.  Let us gather around our Blessed Mother's shrine, and together consecrate our families and parish community and seek Her maternal intercession.    

2)  WE WILL BE CELEBRATING MASS OUTDOORS: 

10:00am on SUNDAYS

10:00am on CHRISTMAS DAY

Weekday Morning Masses are suspended.

3)  Support our ST. LUKE CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE and share the gift of the Christ Child to our brethren in need.  You can pick up your ornament from the Giving Tree located in the community center and/or in the Chapel.  Please drop off your unwrapped gifts at the parish office during office hours NO later than Friday, December 18th.

4) Next weekend, our second collection is for the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal.  Thank you for your generous help.  We still need approximately $12,000 to reach our 2020 parish goal.

5) When putting back the chairs after Sunday Mass, please don’t stack them up. We will sanitize them first. Thank you for your cooperation.

"[John] came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light." (John 1:6-8)