Every Tuesday morning, I celebrate Mass at a local nursing facility. I’m always humbled when I see the residents gathering. There are those who walk in on their own with the assistance of a walker or cane. In the first row is a gentleman who sits next to his mother. There are a number in wheelchairs who are brought in by the nursing staff. And then there are those whose memory is fading and have a caregiver sitting next to them. It’s a beautiful sight of God’s children coming together for prayer.
What’s even more touching for me is being at the back of the chapel as they leave. I’m always touched by a woman who never fails to say, “Father, thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to come here and be with us.” Smiles, handshakes, and a confident, “I’ll see you next Tuesday.” It’s beautiful. And it’s a day that I look forward to each week.
On Tuesday the gospel was that of the lost sheep. Jesus told the parable of the shepherd who left his 99 sheep in order to go out and find the lone sheep that had strayed from the flock. In my homily that morning, I talked about the love of God and how Jesus always seeks us out. Every member of the community is valued. And God would never allow a single one of us stray from Him and His love for us.
As I looked out at those residents sitting in front of me, I saw God’s sheep. Each has a story of their spiritual lives and their experiences of God. I wished that I could sit with each individually and listen to that story. I especially wondered how they were experiencing God at this particular moment in their lives.
Advent invites us to draw closer to God each day. As we move through these four weeks, and closer to the solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, we’re given the opportunity to reflect on our relationship with God. How are we experiencing God’s love for us? Maybe your spiritual life is a bit dry at the moment. What’s going on in your life that’s putting some distance between you and God?
As we enter this third week of Advent, I invite you to spend some time praying with the parable of the shepherd who went out seeking his lost sheep. If you’re that lost sheep, what do you need from God right now to strengthen your relationship with Him? If you’re one of the 99 who’s happily at peace where you’re at today, is there someone you know who’s spiritually lost? If so, lift them up by name and say a prayer for them to be found. And be sure to offer a prayer of thanksgiving for yourself. Thank God for your faith. Thank God for the spiritual peace that you’re experiencing. And thank God for knowing that He loves you and wants to always be close to you, one of His cherished and loved sheep.
A few announcements: Virtual Advent Retreat … Offered by the Congregation of Holy Cross. Go to adventretreat.holycrossusa.org to learn more and register.
Advent Sung Vespers (Evening Prayer) … This Evening Prayer of the Church will be held along with Adoration and Benediction on Monday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Parish (Wilber Street) and Sung Vespers on Sunday, December 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Flower Envelopes … Are available on the table in the gathering space. THANK YOU for helping us beautify the sanctuary for the Christmas season.
Christmas Masses … We will celebrate our Christmas Eve Mass at 4:00 p.m. (Gospel Choir) with the Children’s Pageant starting at 3:45 p.m., and our Christmas Day Mass at 10:00 a.m. Parish Christmas Social … Will be held this Sunday. Everyone is invited to the social which will be held in the parish hall after Mass. The social includes a potluck meal, Christmas carols, and the hanging of family ornaments on the Christmas tree. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd … The December Atrium sessions will be held at 8:30 a.m. on the 15th and 22nd.
Parish Envelopes … As of 2025 your parish envelopes will be mailed to your homes each month rather than picking up a box with a year’s worth of envelopes. It was the decision of the Finance Council to make this change hoping that it will help us maintain a regular weekly income. If you do NOT use the envelopes, I’d kindly ask you to let me know so that you can be removed. The envelopes are an expense to the parish. Sending out unnecessary envelopes isn’t a responsible use of parish finances. I appreciate the emails that I’ve already received from those parishioners who donate but do so without using the envelopes.
Parish Calendars … The 2025 calendars can be found on the table at the entrance. Please feel free to help yourself.
What the Parish Vincentians did in 2024 … This year, St. Augustine’s team of 17 Vincentians made over 520 trips, taking food to hungry families. In addition to delivering food, our Vincentians are sometimes called on to help struggling families avoid evictions or utility disconnects, help with the costs of medicine, or transportation to work or doctor appointments, clothing vouchers, children’s bedding, or diapers from our pantry. In the words of our patron St. Vincent de Paul, “Charity is infinitely inventive.” THANK YOU for caring for those in need! St. Augustine’s Soup Kitchen … As of this week 43,666 cups of soup have been given out since the beginning of the year. Each client gets 4 cups of soup in their bag, which amounts to 10,917 bags. There are 25 volunteers who work over the course of the week. THANK YOU for caring for those in need! Catholic Charities Collection … The monies donated to this special collection on Christmas Day assists our diocesan agency help the most vulnerable neighbors through food pantries, Christmas Programs, mental health ministries, and more than 20 other programs that are a lifeline for those in need. As the Human Services Arm of the Church, Catholic Charities fulfills the charitable mission entrusted to us by the faithful in our diocese. There is an envelope for this collection in your packets and they can be placed in the collection basket on Christmas Day or on the weekend. If you don’t use the parish envelopes, please write “Catholic Charities” on the memo line of your check or place a monetary donation in an envelope marked in the same way. THANK YOU for your generosity.
Women’s Group … The next meeting will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday January 11, 2025. All women of the parish are most welcome to participate. If you have any questions, please call Sr. Betty Smoyer at (574) 309-1393 or email at [email protected]. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to gather, share, listen and pray together.
Miriam’s Blessing … Is a diocesan peer-mentor ministry that provides comprehensive support to parents who receive a difficult prenatal diagnosis, whether it is the detection of a chronic condition, or a life-threatening disorder. Support for parents carrying to term spans the pregnancy, the birth, and the postpartum period. Peer ministers and volunteers are screened, trained, and work in teams. To expectant parents, they offer unique insight and sensitivity regarding such difficult issues as mourning the loss of the anticipated baby, maintaining hope when a prognosis is poor, and neonatal critical care. For more information, go to diocesefwsb.org/miriamsblessing. Pope’s Intention for the Month of December … For pilgrims of hope. We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope. Saint of the Week … St. Peter Canisius (December 21) was a Dutch Jesuit catechist and missionary who was a leading voice in the counter-reformation in Germany. He organized the German Jesuit province and founded several colleges. St. Peter authored the popular and enduring catechism, Institutiones Christianae Pietatis, which was published in nine languages and fifty-five editions. He’s known as the “Second Apostle of Germany.”