This Sunday marks the beginning of the new church year with the first Sunday of Advent. For that reason, I will be returning to offering the Mass “ad orientum”, which means I will face the same direction as the congregation during the prayers of the Eucharist. The Mass has been provided in this manner for two millenniums and it is only in very recent history that priest faced the congregations. The symbolism of ad orientum is that we are journeying toward the “kingdom of God”. We are all to be heading in the same direction. We are all turning our hearts, minds, and bodies toward God. The prayers of the Mass offered by the priest are offered to God as well as by the people. Rather than the priest and the people looking at each other, we look to God the Father, through Jesus the Son by the Holy Spirit. Since I as the priest will be turned in the same direction as you, please take this opportunity to fix your eyes on our beautiful crucifix (it is an inspired work of art) as you listen and participate in the prayers. In every Mass you and I are mystically transported to Calvary, to the One Sacrifice offered once for all time. The sacrifice that atones for our sins and redeems our lost soul. By the mystery of the Mass you and I participate in the here and now in that One Sacrifice. When you hear the old hymn, “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” Our answer should be, “Yes I am! At every single Mass!” I invite you to ponder this reality as you make your spiritual journey through the Holy season of Advent. Yours in Christ our Lord. Fr. Sid