St. Libory Catholic Church

I want to talk about our Advent penance service that will take place Wed., Dec. 7th. Please be encouraged to attend. When we participate in this Sacrament, we not only receive forgiveness of our sins, we also receive Grace from our Lord just like the other Sacraments. We will conduct it in the manner we did in the past. Once you have gone to Confession you may leave. Children and youth who attend with their parent(s) or grandparent(s) may also leave with them. Otherwise, they need to remain until the normal dismissal time of youth formation classes. There will be multiple priest available to hear confessions. I want to also remind you that besides attending to the good of your own soul you are also being a fine witness for our youth. Seeing you going to Confession helps them to realize that this is a practice that needs to continue throughout their life. So please mark this date on your calendar. It will begin at 6:45 PM. If you are late to arrive, no worries. Confessions will be heard as long as anyone is present desiring the Sacrament. Yours in Christ our Lord. Fr. Sid.

As you read this you have probably already attended our first Advent Mass and notice that as before we celebrated, Ad Orientem, or all facing the same direction including the priest. I would just like to state again that this is not some strange novelty, but a permitted option. It is even encouraged by Cardinal Sarah, former head of the Congregation for Divine Worship in Rome. In fact, the wording of the Missal, (the large book used by the priest at the altar), assumes the priest is saying Mass this way all the time. I would restate that the symbolism of Ad Orientem is to remind us that we are all pilgrims journeying in the same direction toward Christ, all planning to be facing him when he returns again. That is what Advent is about and that is why it is particularly appropriate to celebrate Mass this way during the season of Advent. A side bar to this is also a reminder that the Mass is not a stage show starring “Father!” No, it is all about Christ Jesus! He is the one who died for our sins! He is our Savior! He is the Christ! It’s all about HIM! All of our senses should be focused upon HIM! Have a blessed Advent and remember our penance service is this coming Wednesday Dec.7, 6:45 pm. In Christ our Lord. Fr. Sid

This coming week we celebrate the national holiday of Thanksgiving. We all know the story of the pilgrims who came to the continent ill prepared and were saved by the generous help of the Indians. (The interpreter was a Catholic Indian by the way.) In response, after their first successful harvest, they threw a big thanksgiving party, settlers, and Indians. If only that spirit of generosity and grace had continued, American history might have been very different as regards the Native Americans. But that said, it is a good national tradition to give thanks. Generosity and thankfulness go hand in hand. You see it isn’t receiving that causes us to be thankful, it is giving. This is why we frequently see those who receive the most “free” benefits, are also the most ungrateful and demanding of more. The “giver” understands and appreciates the “cost” of the gift. So, when they receive a gift, they are thankful. They understand that the gift is only free to the recipient. What is fascinating is the grace that comes with a gift received is appreciated and treasured by those who have also been givers. In our still great nation, we are the recipient of so many gifts that we tend to take for granted. It is heart breaking to listen to so many in media, academia, and Hollywood rant about what a terrible, racist, bigoted, and stingy group of people Americans are. All one needs to do is look south. Literally millions of people pouring across the border, (illegally), leaving their homes, risking robbery, rape, and loss of life to come to this “terrible” (sarcasm) nation. Everyone still wants to come to America. There are still many very good reasons. As of yet, we still have freedom and tremendous opportunities. We are all obligated to pray and thank God for our nation. And remember, the proper name of the Mass in English is “The Great Thanksgiving,” otherwise called the “Eucharist.” God bless America! The Lord be with you. Fr. Sid.

I want to put out a huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped put on another great soup supper! It is always great to see everyone come together, all ages and all parts of the parish and community. Besides the work, it’s a great opportunity to meet new people and catchup with old acquaintances. I am so sorry that my knee recovery kept me from participating the way I should. But that said I am truly grateful to those who picked up my slack. God bless you! On another topic, thank you for those who have already committed to the Diocesan Appeal. We are on our way to our goal with over $11K committed already. Please prayerfully consider a gift or pledge soon. If you misplaced the envelope you were mailed there are some available here at the church. If you use one from the church, please remember to write in St. Libory’s for your parish as the card goes directly to the diocese and that way your gift will be credited to our parish. Yours in Christ out Lord. Fr. Sid.