Sunday, December 3, 2023
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!
In the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church, Advent is the four-week period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. This term means “arrival” and signifies the returning of Christ the King. In this season, we are invited to reflect on the mysterious incarnation of Jesus in Bethlehem and prepare for His second coming to reunite Heaven and Earth once and for all. The liturgy of Advent, according to St. John Paul II, “The liturgy of Advent…helps us to understand fully the value and meaning of the mystery of Christmas. It is not just about commemorating the historical event, which occurred some 2,000 years ago in a little village of Judea. Instead, it is necessary to understand that the whole of our life must be an ‘advent,’ a vigilant awaiting of the final coming of Christ. To predispose our mind to welcome the Lord who, as we say in the Creed, one day will come to judge the living and the dead, we must learn to recognize him as present in the events of daily life. Therefore, Advent is, so to speak, an intense training that directs us decisively toward him who already came, who will come, and who comes continuously.” The Advent wreath also takes an important place and carries an accurate meaning in this season. The evergreen of the wreath signifies human’s continuous life and the circle of the wreath symbolizes the everlasting life offered through salvation. The four candles, three purples and one rose, symbolize human’s hope, peace, joy, and love. They are lit one at a time each week to bring a little more light into the darkness as Christmas draws near.
Unfortunately, because some people do not understand the true meaning of Advent, they do not appreciate special religious practices and follow the meaningful preparation in this season. They try to fulfill their duties and responsibilities at the end of the year, but they do not try to take care of their souls and to make space for the coming of God in their hearts. They would spend lots of time on fun activities and special gatherings during this most famous holiday in this country and in the world; yet, they would not have time for the special gathering with the Promised One. They would put lots of efforts to prepare gifts for their beloved ones; yet, they would not make any efforts to prepare a special gift for their faith and Baby Jesus. They would plan and celebrate everything for a fun holiday; yet, they would not plan and celebrate everything for the meaningful birthday of the true Messiah.
My brothers and sister in Christ,
When every street corner is filled with colorful decorations and every radio station is filled with uplifting Christmas songs, the Church invites us to focus on the purple color and the meditating Advent music as we need to express our yearning for His hope-filled arrival.
In this weekend’s gospel passage, Jesus’ warning “Be watchful and be alert” is highlighted in order to remind us for the nec-essary preparation before the Nativity of Christ our Savior. Let us set up time “to pray with greater intensity, to reserve to the spiritual life the important place it deserves” (Pope Francis). Let us put Jesus at the center when we plan and celebrate His Birthday. Let us try our best so that we can feel, understand, and experience the Emmanuel in our minds, in our hearts, and in our faith as we will recite on Christmas, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to people on earth.”
Sincerely yours in Jesus Christ and Our Lady of La Vang!
Reverend Kiet Anh Ta.
List of bulletins 2023
December
- December 3, 2023 First Sunday of Advent Year B
November
- November 26, 2023 Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of The Universe
- November 19, 2023 Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- November 12, 2023 Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- November 05, 2023 Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
October
- October 29, 2023 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- October 22, 2023 Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- October 15, 2023 Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- October 8, 2023 Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- October 1, 2023 Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
September
- September 24, 2023 Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- September 17, 2023 Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- September 10, 2023 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- September 3, 2023 Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
August
- August 27, 2023 Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- August 20, 2023 Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- August 13, 2023 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- August 6, 2023 The Transfiguration of The Lord Year A
July
- July 30, 2023 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- July 23, 2023 Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- July 16, 2023 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- July 9, 2023 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- July 2, 2023 Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
June
- June 25, 2023 Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- June 18, 2023 Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- June 11, 2023 The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Year A
- June 4, 2023 The Most Holy Trinity Year A
May
- May 28, 2023 Pentecost Sunday Year A
- May 21, 2023 The Ascension of The Lord Year A
- May 14, 2023 Sixth Sunday of Easter Year A
- May 7, 2023 Fifth Sunday of Easter Year A
April
- April 30, 2023 Fourth Sunday of Easter Year A
- April 23, 2023 Third Sunday of Easter Year A
- April 16, 2023 Sunday of Divine Mercy
- April 9, 2023 Easter Sunday Year A
- April 2, 2023 Palm Sunday Year A
March
- March 26, 2023 Fifth Sunday of Lent Year A
- March 19, 2023 Fourth Sunday Of Lent Year A
- March 12, 2023 Third Sunday Of Lent Year A
- March 5, 2023 Second Sunday of Lent Year A
February
- February 26, 2023 First Sunday of Lent Year A
- February 19, 2023 Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- February 12, 2023 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- February 5, 2023 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
January
- January 29, 2023 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- January 22, 2023 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- January 15, 2023 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- January 8, 2023 The Epiphany of The Lord Year A
- January 1, 2023 Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Mother of God Year A