Advent III
Follow Fr. Cekada’s ongoing commentary on the recent controversies: www.traditionalmass.org/blog
Bishop’s Corner
Our long, sweet Fall finally gave way to the wind and the dark cold rain of December. Still, what a string of simply splendid Saturdays we enjoyed this Autumn. Wednesday’s high winds took our power away for several hours. We had prudently installed a generator and a gas fire place for just such an eventuality. Neither of them worked! The angels, though, came to our assistance, and the power returned at the start of the 5:00 Mass. Human prudence fails, God’s Providence never.
Considering last week’s stormy start to the winter season, we really did very well for Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception. The church was full in the morning for the school childrens’ heavenly High Mass. A surprising number of souls made it through the heavy traffic and rain for the evening Mass. I thank Katie for her striking Immaculate Conception altar, with the blue poinsettias around Our Lady. Our children are continuing Mary’s feast with several High Masses during Her Octave.
My special thanks go to all who turned out in such numbers for the All Night Adoration. So many helped in so many touching ways. We all will benefit from the blessings of the Blessed Sacrament Exposed, a powerful devotion for peace.
Dear George Wissing, one of our “old timers” at St. Gertrude, is dying. Please pray for him and for his wife Loraine, and family. God reward his strong devotion to our Faith. Debi Ellis, a former secretary here and a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Smith, recently caught our webcast of the Mass and wrote:
“Greetings from Middle Tennessee! This is just a short note to let you know I was able to watch ‘live simulcast’ of the Mass this morning! My computer is rather outdated – so it froze up frequently, but I did hear the last 5 minutes or so of your sermon today.
People do not know how fortunate they are to have the Traditional Latin Mass available to them! They seem to forget what it’s like to have nothing. I have been here in “Protestant” Country for nearly 10 years, and truly miss the true Sacraments. One day my prayers will be answered, but until then, I will watch your Masses. Thank you!”
Another dear soul, Doris Jeanne Campbell, of Indianapolis, stays in touch as well. She writes: “Rang up the office at Holy Rosary to tell them not to send any more mail. Moments later, the priest (FSSP) called to ask why not. That was something I was trying to answer nicely: What came out was, “I’m not for the One World Church” and he replied that he could not order me, nor tell me what to do. All nice and polite we were. I hope I did alright.” I’m glad they still can’t order us to join the One World Church!
But let us, each one of us, put our house in order for the coming of the King at Christmas. Examine your conscience, make a good Confession, follow the Immaculate Conception Novena with a Christmas Novena of longing and preparation. The time is short. Prepare ye the way of the Lord!
May Mary Immaculate keep you under her mantle,
–Bishop Dolan