As far back as I can remember, my family always arrived at Church at least 15 minutes before Sunday Mass. As a young child, I watched my Dad as he first genuflected toward the tabernacle, then entered the pew and knelt for several minutes in silence. As young children are apt to do, I learned from his example. Even after my Dad folded up the kneeler and sat in the pew, he kept silence, if for no other reason than to allow those around us the opportunity to pray before Mass as well. We didn’t regularly go to Eucharistic Adoration—I am not sure my parish even provided that opportunity—so this time before Sunday Mass was treasured as the culmination of one’s personal prayer through the week, just prior to entering into the Sacred Mysteries about to be Celebrated by the whole parish.
Advent seems like a particularly appropriate time to reflect on the importance of silence and stillness in expectation. The very theme of Advent is the immediate time of keeping vigil waiting for the coming (advent literally means “coming-to”) of the Lord. I recall the words of a simple hymn we used to sing in the seminary during this season: “For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits, truly, my hope is in You.” During the first three weeks of Advent, we reflect on, and prepare for, the coming of the Lord in Glory. In the final week, we prepare to celebrate His coming in history (which we celebrate at Christmas). Prior to each Mass, the chance we have to recollect ourselves in the quiet stillness of the church is like a little Advent which can prepare us for His coming in Mystery—as the Lord is made present upon the altar at the Consecration at each Mass.
Please keep this in mind when you enter Church prior to Mass—use that time as a chance to speak to the Lord from your heart, see it as an opportunity to shake off the noise and bustle of the everyday world to prepare to enter into the Divine Mystery of the Mass. Even if you are not inclined to pray yourself, please be respectful of others in Church who would like to observe this “Little Advent.”
Providing for Future Priests Special Collection I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all who generously contributed to last week’s special collection in support of our seminarians. I understand the collection at St. Charles totaled $3,014. In addition to this important financial support, I would ask you to join me in the even more important task of praying for vocations to the priesthood. Pray that those men God has called may persevere in answering His call and that many others will be open to hearing His call to the ministerial priesthood. If you know of a young man you think may have a vocation to the priesthood, or a young woman or man with a vocation to religious life, please encourage them to explore that possibility. I am always more than happy to meet with anybody who thinks he or she may have a vocation to priesthood or religious life. I can be reached by email at frtotton@stcharleskc.com or by telephone at 816-436-0880.
Parish Open House Next Week! At our annual parish picnic last spring, we took time to recognize our volunteers—parishioners involved in over 50 distinct apostolates and ministries within our parish community. Next week, we are providing a further opportunity to highlight the various aspects those ministries impact our parish in a positive way. Our open house, under the title “We Are Called” is a chance to learn about the many opportunities we have as parishioners to become more involved in the life of our parish. It is my hope that each of you will take some time after Mass next week to stop by the gym, (enjoy some refreshments), and visit the various ministry tables to learn about the myriad opportunities for service, formation and fellowship that we offer within our parish.
Added Confession times beginning Dec. 9 With the inception of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, We will be adding an extra opportunity for weekly confession. Beginning on Wednesday December 9, Confessions will be hear from 6:6:45pm each week.
-Fr. Joseph Totton