This weekend we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent. You will notice that the priests and deacons typically change from the violet colored vestments to the Rose colored vestments. I always chuckled when the priest would say that they are NOT pink vestments but rose. They always looked pink to me. I always laugh whenever I hear the joke, that Jesus rose from the dead, he did not pink from the dead. :)
The Third Sunday in Advent in the Roman Catholic calendar of the Church year. The term derived from the Latin opening words of the introit antiphon, "Rejoice (Gaudete) in the Lord always." This day we light the rose (pink) candle in our advent wreath. The theme of the day expresses the joy of anticipation at the approach of the Christmas celebration. A nice thing to do this week of Advent is to write down things in your life that cause you to rejoice. Then, thank God for these blessings. True joy ultimately comes through following God's will for our lives. May you continue to have a season of advent that brings you closer to the Lord.
Also, please pray for our brothers and sisters who are struggling at this time. Those among us who are homeless, those who are unemployed, the sick an all those in need of your prayers, love and support. May our Blessed Lord watch over them, console them and bring them his heavenly peace.
God Bless,
DJ
MEN'S ACTS RETREAT
In February of 2024, there will be a weekend retreat for men, who would like to get closer to Jesus in their life. Last year, I attended this retreat and I have to say it was an amazing experience. Over 20 men, including myself have been meeting to prepare for this amazing weekend. There are men from all three parishes of our Collaborative as well as men from St. Francis Parish in Dracut. (My former parish) Also there are men on team from other parishes as well. To the wives. If you want to give a great gift to your husbands this Christmas, consider the gift of the ACTS weekend. You and he will be very glad that you did.
Deacon John's Recommended Reading
The Life of Christ by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
The Story of a Soul. The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis
Join me for the trip of a liftime to Fatima, Lourdes and Medjugorje
April 10-21, 2024.
Click on the image to your right to learn more!
I willingly boast of my weakness, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I am content with weakness, with mistreatment, with distress, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ; for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong.