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St. Andrew the Apostle Friday Flash | December 3rd, 2021

Friday Flash

December 3, 2021

WHY IS THIS ADVENT SEASON SO DIFFERENT AND YET THE SAME?

I can’t believe we are already in the second Sunday of Advent. Can you? Each year, this season offers us an opportunity to re-examine ourselves and turn away from sin if we are to prepare to receive the birth of our Savior in a befitting manner. But I still feel that this year’s advent season is different and yet the same! Last week, we reflected on the virtue of hope which I argued, is a much-needed virtue today in light of the current pandemic conundrum and its myriads of other emerging challenges. The readings during the Sundays of Advent remind us that Jesus has not come just once. In fact, He keeps coming again and again bringing us hope, love, joy, and peace. He comes and is present at all cheerful or sad events of our life; He comes and is present in all that happens in the world and in the Church; He comes and is present in all those who spread new ideas, utter words of love, encouragement, peace and reconciliation; He comes in those who strive to make this world a better place for everyone to live in. He comes through you when you do all those things that bring smiles and hope in the faces of those who are lonely or in pain. Unfortunately, in spite of His coming in these various forms, we are often not ready to recognize him or make others recognize him through us. We fail to perceive his presence in every event of our lives and are afraid that his message may upset us by demanding a radical transformation of our habits. Indeed, there is a great need for the coming of Jesus into our lives today than ever before in light of this pandemic and all that we are experiencing in our world. There is in fact, a greater need and urgency to prepare for his coming and be ready to recognize him when he comes than perhaps ever before.

However, we have to remember that He cannot come for instance, in our community if we harbor envy, jealousy, if we are divided and gossip about our leaders and about each other. He cannot come in a nation where citizens kill each other and kill especially the innocent babies through abortion. He cannot come where there is war, violence, injustice, hatred, grudges, feuds and so forth. And so, Advent gives us the opportunity to remove all these obstacles preventing his coming among us. It gives us the time pull down all the barriers, fill up all the valleys in our midst because all these prevent Christ from coming. That is why the readings of Advent particularly call us to be vigilant, to keep our eyes wide open in order to discover and prepare the ways that Jesus has chosen to come and free us from the evil one. That is also why, as a practical step towards making a good preparation for the birth of our Lord Jesus, our parish offers you the following activities and the dates to participate in:

Monday, December 6th - Advent Concert by the Floriani at 6.30pm

Saturday December 11th - Journey to Bethlehem after the 5pm Vigil Mass

Sunday, December 12th & Monday, December 13th -

Advent Mission by Fr. Peter Mushi, AJ

Tuesday, December 14th - Communal Penance Service

Saturday, December 18th & Sunday, December 19th - Bambinelli (No this is not an Italian restaurant) but a

ceremony in which families bring their Baby Jesus Figurines to be blessed during Mass.More information about this will be available.

Tuesday, December 21st - Lessons and Carols by Anjanette and the choir

I therefore, invite you and your family to participate in these very spiritually uplifting activities our parish as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, mark your calendars always keeping in mind that a family that prays together stays together and a parish that worships together grows stronger! St. Andrew, I wish you a blessed and fruitful Advent Season and I love You!

- Fr. Robert

Families with small children come spend an hour with Jesus in Adoration, TONIGHT, Friday December 3rd at 6:00pm in the Chapel.

This is your final opportunity to attend our annual Advent Holiday Tea on Saturday, December 4th at 1:00pm in the teen center.

Three courses, flavorful teas and fun conversations.
$10 cash at the door rsvp at: mums@standrewchandler.com

THIS Sunday, December 5th after the 7am and 10am Masses.

Our featured ministry will be : Outreach Ministry : E3 Africa

Due to a change in schedule, the first meeting for Seasons of Hope will be on Tuesday, December 14th in Room A, 6:30pm - 8:00pm.

To register, please email Deacon Ernie at egarcia@standrewchandler.com. All are welcome.

Monday, December 6th at 6:30pm.

Floriani is our featured guests and will bless us with chanting the ancient songs of the season. Perfect for all ages.

Have you moved? Changed your phone number?

Please contact Mary at Finance@standrewchandler.com
To update your information

Public Masses are now offered

Monday - Saturday | 8:30am

Wednesday | 6:30pm

Saturday | 5:00pm

Sunday | 7:00am, 10:00am, 2:00pm

Daily Mass on Tuesday and Thursday, as well as Sunday Masses at 10:00am and 2:00pm are also streamed on Facebook

We are in great need of your continued support. Please consider making a gift to support continued ministry at Saint Andrew the Apostle. Please visit Faith Direct: https://membership.faithdirect.net/AZ973 or click the banner above.

Thank you for your Generosity!