Comeback Christmas - 1st Sunday of Advent

by Rev. Gabriel Baltes, O.S.B.  |  11/27/2022  |  A Message from Our Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

It is most appropriate that, on this day, I wish all of you a Happy New Year because on the First Sunday of Advent, the Church begins a new liturgical year, i.e., that annual cycle of feasts and seasons which celebrates the great mysteries of our Redemption in Christ. The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin adventus which means “coming” or “arrival.” This is the season that begins with a focus on, what is sometimes called, the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of time.

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Giving Thanks

by Rev. Gabriel Baltes, O.S.B.  |  11/20/2022  |  A Message from Our Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

In this week when gratitude is in the forefront of our minds and hearts, I wish to express my gratitude to all our parishioners who participated in our “Campaign Readiness Assessment Survey.” CLICK HERE to see a summary of the survey results. I hope everyone is as pleased with the results as I am.

I am also grateful to Lorraine Klemz who conducted the survey and met with various individuals and focus groups as part of this first phase of our campaign. In my opinion Lorraine has done an excellent job for us because she is thorough, creative, energetic and inclusive of all our parishioners.

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The Basilica of St. John Lateran

by Rev. Gabriel Baltes, O.S.B.  |  11/13/2022  |  A Message from Our Pastor

It’s 5:10 on Wednesday morning, November 9, 2022, and as I’m looking out my kitchen window, I have a privileged view of this month’s full moon which traditionally has been called the “Beaver’s Moon.” It acquired this designation because during the light of this month’s full moon, beavers build their damns, their winter homes. On the church’s calendar today is the feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the mother home for Christianity because it was the first public place of worship.

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