On Friday, we celebrated Mary Immaculate as the Patroness of the US. On Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Church celebrates Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, The Patroness of the Americas. In 1531, shortly after the Spanish arrived in Mexico, Mary appeared in what is now Mexico City on the hill of Tepeyac. She appeared to an indigenous, who is now a saint, Juan Diego, over a period of four days. She sent him to the local Spanish bishop with her request to build a shrine at Tepeyac. The bishop did not believe Juan Diego until Mary gave Juan Diego roses, which were out of season, and a portrait of herself on his tilma or cloak. That portrait on that cloak can still be seen today in the big beautiful shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This is yearly the biggest religious celebration in Mexico.
We are about to begin our 90th year as a parish. We are looking for more history of the parish as well as ideas on how to celebrate this great anniversary. Why not spend a little time looking at the pictures of the priest and deacons who have served here? Maybe you will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit to contribute a great idea or two for this coming year.
There is a new community organizing effort taking shape in Northern Indiana. It is called NE-ICAN. I have attended two clergy meetings. It is an interfaith organization looking at systemic change for the better. The diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend backs this with groups in Fort Wayne, Elkhart and St. Joe counties. It should develop into a lay led organization to make things better for everyone. If you would like more info on this group, please see me, Father Len. This is a leadership development process.
Our first reading from the Prophet Isaiah, for the Second Sunday of Advent, gives us comfort and talks about “A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the Lord.” When his way is prepared we are encouraged: “Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom.”
In today’s Gospel we see that the voice crying in the desert is John the Baptist, preparing the way for Jesus. John was a superstar, preaching and offering a baptism of repentance. People came from all over to see him. “And with that he proclaimed: ‘One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” John is talking about Jesus.
In our second reading from the Second Letter of Saint Peter, Peter is urging his people and us to stay faithful until the second coming of Christ. He points out that 1000 years is like 1 day to God. So, we do not know the day or the hour of Christ coming again.. We do know that we will celebrate his becoming one of us on Christmas.
Be sure to check our Giving Tree in the Foyer!
The National Black Catholic Congress has published a Pastoral Plan of Action. It can be found on their website.
Let us continue to pray for peace in the world. Let us also pray for vocations to the church. Let us pray for the sick of the parish. Let us pray that all will come to respect life. Let us pray for one another and for the canonization of Father Tolton.