This Week's News
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Read MoreREJOICE
Today has traditionally been called “Gaudete Sunday.” The Latin tag is derived from Paul’s appeal in the second reading to “rejoice always in the Lord,” and the Latin Mass text based on that reading. The irony and paradox of this Christian joy is underlined by the fact that Paul wrote those words in prison. But from there he could see the progress of God’s work.
Is it obvious to us? We feel that this is not the time for joy when there is so much suffering and moral evil. It is interesting, then, that the first reading is from the prophet Zephaniah, who is almost exclusively concerned with gloomy visions of Judgment Day. Today
the Church selects the only optimistic text in Zephaniah, in which the prophet has been touched by the spirit of joy.
This, we are assured on all sides, is “the season of joy.” Let us recapture that feeling of joy in our lives and reflect it to those who are joyless.
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Read MoreYears ago, the trick question on religion quizzes would be to name all the liturgical colors, or the colors of the vestments worn at Mass. Rose is a color seldom seen, used at most two days a year. Today, “Gaudete Sunday,” is one of those days. The name of the day is drawn from an opening verse in the old Latin Mass texts: Gaudete is Latin for “Rejoice!” This year’s Gospel certainly reflects that mood as Elizabeth feels her infant within her leaping for joy at the presence of Mary.
Mary’s visit to her aged cousin is an act of compassion between women, as two kinswomen who are bearing children into the world share their joy. Some churches retain the custom of having the priest wear rose vestments today, and many will use a rose candle in the Advent wreath. Violet is the official color for Advent and Lent, but many parishes employ different hues for each season, trying to keep them distinct. In medieval times, dye was costly, and poor parishes used unornamented plain cloth for vestments. Dyes were expensive and some colors, particularly purple, difficult to achieve. In England, purple dye was made from mollusks, yielding at best a deep indigo or blue and not the desired violet.
Thus, the color of Advent in the British Isles has long been a deep blue, reminding many people of Mary’s presence at the heart of the Advent mystery. That theology is largely unplanned: it’s all because of the clams!
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Read MoreGot a Cold?
More than 100 viruses can cause colds, the world’s most common illness, and most people average about three colds every year. Once it enters the body the cold virus begins to multiply, causing sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, aches and pains, mild fever, nasal congestion and coughing.
Over-the-counter cough and cold remedies may relieve some of the symptoms, but they will not prevent, cure or even shorten the course of the illness.
To lessen your chances of coming down with a cold keep up your natural resistance through good nutrition, and get- ting enough sleep and exercise. Avoid direct contact with those who have colds, and wash your hands frequently.
This year’s Flu season is expected to be one of the worst ever and its still not to late to get a flu shot! The best de- fense against the flu is a shot. Everyone over the age of 6 months should get a shot. For patients with asthma or other lung conditions this flu is one more problem for the lungs to cope with. Patients with diabetes already have a damaged immune response so are more susceptible to flu. Breathing can easily and quickly be compromised.If you get a cold be respectful of others, cover your coughs and sneezes.
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Read MoreWinter is fast approaching and it becomes a difficult time for those who call the streets their home. Our Social Justice Ministry is once again collecting socks for the homeless.
You can leave your donations in the bins at the entrances of the church, or drop them off at the rectory office during office hours. God bless you for your generosity.
Our deadline is December 16th.
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