SS Peter & Paul Church

The Shape of Mass In the renewal of the liturgy that followed the Second Vatican Council, the full, conscious, and active participation of the assembly was the primary consideration. By participation, the Council Fathers did not mean just joining in the singing and the spoken responses, but active engagement and prayerful understanding of the rites. ... They envisioned a transparent liturgy, a worship that spoke so directly to the hearts and minds of the faithful that it would require no explanation at all. The liturgy itself is the best possible catechesis on the liturgy. What does the liturgy teach us? It shows us the ministry of Jesus continuing in the present. He gathers a community. He calls us to prayer and repentance and praise. He teaches us with the very word of God. He does not send us away empty, but sets before us a marvelous banquet, feeding us with his very body and blood. Then he sends us forth to do what he has doneto give ourselves for others, not just in words, but in deeds. The Mass is the pattern of our Christian lives.

Church Third Sunday Of Advent 12-12-20 Saturday 5:30PM Mass

The Third Sunday of Advent "Rejoice Always. Pray without ceasing." -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16 First Reading As a garden makes its growth spring up, so will God make justice spring up before all the nations (Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11).... Psalm My soul rejoices in my God (Luke 1:46-50, 53-54). Second Reading Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances. Test everything; retain what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24). Gospel I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord (John 1:6-8, 19-28). John the Baptist At a school open house a woman could be overheard introducing her husband to some of the other parents. Oh, Bill, I’d like you to meet Johnny’s father. And over here, this is Marie’s mom; you know, the little girl from our Ellen’s soccer team. With satisfied resignation Bill introduced himself not by name: I’m Ellen’s Dad. It’s good to know who you are. Be it someone’s father or mother, son or daughter, husband or wife, it’s important to embrace the full meaning of our various roles. John the Baptist knows who he is. And who he is not. He is not the Christ. Nor Elijah. Nor like any other prophet God’s people had ever seen. John the Baptist knows his mission is divine. He’s more than satisfied to be the one to announce the coming of God’s reign. The Christ is near. Make straight your paths.

Hear me, my littlest one. Let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you. Let nothing alter your heart or your countenance Am I not your mother? Are you not under the protection of my mantle? Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!