On this “Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday,” we light the pink candle in honor of the spiritual joy of the coming Messiah. Yet many people among us and around the world endure sufferings – small and large – that can seem to work against that joy. This is part of why Jesus gave us a new commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Unlike Adam and Eve’s son Cain, who denied responsibility for his brother Abel (after killing him, saying “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Gen.4:9), we do share responsibility for loving all of our sisters and brothers.
We do this in many ways, but in Advent this usually is manifest in gifts for those who have less than us or are struggling in other ways. Our parish giving trees provide opportunities for this expression of care and concern through several local organizations. Some of your gift cards are shared through St. Vincent DePaul. We are very grateful to the St. Vincent team in each of our parishes, which relies on your donations to meet the emergency needs of people in our towns throughout the year. St. Mary Parish has had a longstanding relationship with the Wrentham Developmental Center, and we are happy to resume helping their residents to find comfort and joy despite their serious mental and physical challenges.
Many of you may not be as familiar with another organization that distributes many of the gifts you donate, though our collaborative parishes have had connections with them for a long time. Appropriately named, My Brother’s Keeper is a Christian non-profit, founded by Catholics, which normally collects and distributes furniture to those who need it. This grass roots organization is really a Spirit-led community of volunteers who put their faith into practice: “To bring the Love and Hope of Jesus Christ to those in need.” At the end of every furniture delivery, the volunteers say they are just the delivery people, but theone who sent them deserves the thanks – and they hand the person a crucifix. In December the MBK warehouse is turned into “Santa’s Workshop” to sort and wrap gifts from us and many others to deliver throughout our corner of the state. Over the past 20 years, the number of people they serve out of their primary warehouse in Easton has gone up 244% (even after they opened a second warehouse several years ago). The needs are still greater than they can serve, so MBK has launched a campaign to expand the Easton facility. You can visit www.mybrotherskeeper.org/eastonbuildingproject to learn more.
May all our efforts to love others as Christ does help others to find and cling to the deep and lasting joy of Christ, our Savior, this Advent and throughout the year.
Preparing the Way for the Lord through Reconciliation this Advent
Advent is focused on the joyful anticipation of the coming of our Messiah, and John the Baptist’s cry “Prepare the way of the Lord” includes preparing our souls spiritually. As we clean and decorate our houses for Christmas, we should also invite the grace of Jesus Christ to cleanse our lives sin so we can be set free from guilt to more fully rejoice in this uplifting season. Don’t let the admission of sins or hesitation about how to participate block you from receiving God’s mercy and love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation – our priests are here to help you!
Weekends: Saturdays 3:00 - 3:45 pm at St. Mary, Wrentham
Sundays 9:15 – 9:45 am at St. Martha, Plainville
Special Advent Evening: Tuesday, Dec. 20, 6:30 - 8:30 pm at St. Mary, Wrentham Afternoons Daily: 1:00 – 4:00 pm at La Salette Shrine, 947 Park St.,