A Letter from Father Lester

Dearest Parish Family and Friends,

"The Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord."
~ ~ ~ Henri Nouwen

"At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the Season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern."
~ ~ ~ Mother Teresa

How are you in this winter weather? Take extra care, stay strong and healthy. We started the Advent Season with the blessing of the Advent wreath and the lighting of the first candle. I hope that you had a good start to your advent journey. If you haven't started, find a quiet time to ask the Lord what He wants you to do making His way ready to meet you. I encourage you to consider attending our advent liturgical celebrations and bring your family and friends. Attend Mass on weekends and one or two weekday masses. Come to mass a half hour before and join the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Find time to read our Advent book "Beautiful Eucharist" by Matthew Kelly and write down your reflections in your spiritual journal. Advent is a time of grace wherein we give to the Lord our sins so that He may forgive them. Let us join our Communal Penance Service and Confession on Monday, December 11 at 5:15pm in Mt. Shasta There will be priests helping to hear confession.

The Advent Angels met last Sunday and started their mission of reaching out to our beloved homebound brothers and sisters. If you are interested in joining this ministry or you know of someone who is homebound kindly give a call to the office.

For the first time we shall have Simbang Gabi at St. Anthony in Mt. Shasta and Holy Family in Weed. Simbang Gabi (Filipino for Night Mass) is a series of masses leading up to Christmas. It is a spiritual preparation and a way of requesting blessing from the Lord. Traditional Filipino food will be served following these masses at the Parish Hall.
Join us in:
Mt. Shasta on Wednesday, December 20 at 4pm
Weed on Friday, December 22 at 4pm, and again in
Mt. Shasta on Saturday, December 23 at 5pm.

I invite you, and invite others, especially our Hispanic brothers and sisters, to join us for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Tuesday, December 12 at 12noon at St. Anthony. It will be a bilingual mass with songs in Spanish. There will also be a simple reception following mass in the Parish Hall with traditional Mexican food.

I want to let you know that Tina Lamanna, wife of Jim Lamanna, passed away recently. They are former parishioners of St. Anthony. Let us include in our prayers for the soul of Tina and may God grant comfort to Jim.

Tomorrow, December 8, is a Holy Day of Obligation for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. There will be mass at St. Joseph, McCloud at 10am and at St. Anthony, Mt. Shasta at 12noon and 5:30pm.

God loves you and He loves everyone. Let us continue to spread His peace, joy and love to people we meet each day.

Let us walk together in our Advent journey and may our Blessed Mother Mary accompany us and help us to persevere.

In Christ,
Fr. Lester

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Schedule

Communal Penance Service/Confession:
      Mt. Shasta Monday, December 11 at 5:15pm;
     McCloud Wednesday, December 13 at 11am

Masses:

** Immaculate Conception of Mary, Friday, December 8:
     McCloud 10am
     Mt. Shasta 12noon & 5:30pm

** Our Lady of Guadalupe, Tuesday, December 12: Mt. Shasta 12noon

** Simbang Gaby Masses:
      Wednesday December 20, 4pm, St. Anthony;
     Friday, December 22, 4pm Holy Family, Weed;

** Saturday, Dec. 23, 5pm, St. Anthony

**Christmas Eve : December 24, Sunday : McCloud 6pm ; Mt. Shasta 8pm

** Christmas Day : December 25, Monday : Mt. Shasta 9am; McCloud 11am

** New Year’s Eve : December 31, Sunday : McCloud 6pm; Mt. Shasta 8pm

** New Year’s Day : January 1, Monday : Mt. Shasta 9am; McCloud 11am

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Readings for December 10th, 2023

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 Commentaries for 2nd Sunday of Advent, Cycle B 

*** Resources for the 2nd Sunday of Advent Year B from "Living Space Sacred Space"

***Sunday Connection" from "Loyola Press"

*** Commentary" from "Catholic Culture"

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Click the link or image below for gospel reflection

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