Advent II
St. Nicholas visited the children after Mass today, in commemoration of today’s feast.
Andrew Richesson plays Bach’s “Dorian” Toccata, during the organ dedication ceremony.
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Daily Sermons
November 30 – Bp. Dolan – St. Andrew. Oh, Good Cross!
December 1 – Fr. Lehtoranta – The Little Flower of Kenosha
December 2 – Bp. Dolan – St. Bibiana
December 3 – Bp. Dolan – St. Francis Xavier
December 4 – Fr. Lehtoranta – St. Barbara and Her Love of Jesus
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✠ The Bishop’s Corner ✠
Our Thanksgiving was truly worthy of thanks. Many of you did it the best way by starting the day with Holy Mass. The music at the 9 AM was furnished by a Thanksgiving Volunteer Choir, and featured several beloved “golden oldies” including parts of the Convent Mass and the Salieri De Profundis. Our processional, God of Our Fathers, came off loud and clear. Many thanks to the singers, and to the good God for a fine sunny day. After Mass, ours was a quiet day. This, too, is thanks worthy!
The Friday Feast of the Miraculous Medal saw—somewhat miraculously, I think—91 (count ‘em!) packages go out for poor boys and girls in the Mexican missions. They were indeed “blessing boxes,” bringing a blessing to donor and recipient alike. God bless you for your participation.
To the many blessings which are ours in the material order we must add of late the falling gas price this Fall. I remember when some of you had to think twice about a trip to church just because of gas prices. Our brethren in Argentina, however (and we have many), are facing horrendous 25% inflation, with an announcement that electricity will now double in price. We are doing our best to help the Missionaries of the Rosary with Mass stipends and money for the poor.
Fr. Nkamuke reports all is well. He is back in chaotic Lagos now, and was preparing two couples for marriage, and the brides for baptism. Friday was the feast of another great patron of the missions, St. Francis Xavier, so named by St. Pius X. I saw two numbers for the baptisms he did in the Far East in just ten years’ time: 40,000 to 70,000. No wonder his arm was sore! Pray for priests.
We are all preparing for Christmas, of course. The spiritual preparation should come first, for us all. May tomorrow’s Fast and Abstinence help you, and Tuesday’s Holy Day Mass of the Immaculate Conception. Our Lady always prepares us, if we ask.
We here at church are planning programs, practicing, and purchasing poinsettias, and so much more. I know you are all busy as well at this holy, happy season of Advent.
Fr. McGuire is in Milwaukee for a while now, with Fr. McKenna here a few more days to help out. On Thursday he goes to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Spokane for a long delayed visit to his former “seminary” which coincides with their patronal feast. Fr. Cekada leaves this afternoon for a short seminary teaching week. We’ve had some more inquiries from Indianapolis, so it looks like we may be offering Mass there more regularly, as well as in or near our old mission of Saybrook, Illinois.
We had an excellent Advent Sunday with a beautiful procession and High Mass. Yesterday was the first of our candlelight Rorate Masses. It is Advent. Thy kingdom come!
– Bishop Dolan
P.S. I saw a young buck visiting the stations recently in the late afternoon, and Fr. McGuire saw coyotes. Nature returns.