Simplicity of Advent
La sencillez del Adviento
Dear Parishioners,
We are in the midst of our Advent journey, walking together through these final weeks of the Jubilee Year of Hope. I wish to take a simple P-P-P-Page out of St. John the Baptist’s repertoire: Pray, Prepare, Penance.
Pray
Last week, I wrote to you about some local pilgrimage sites. With all the hustle and bustle of the season, prayer might not mean going somewhere far—sometimes it simply means slowing down… stopping to “smell the Christmas tree!”
It is important for us to find silence in our day and in the spaces we occupy—a desert where God can meet us and bring us new life.
Many of you gathered last Friday for a simple liturgy of Lessons and Carols, prayer, and music focused on the promises of the Messiah and their fulfillment in the Christmas mysteries. I want to share the program with you, as it is filled with Scripture and song that satisfies so much more than “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
Prepare
Also last week, we saw our first snowfall of the season. Though not a meteorologist, I am a pastor—and I want to share our inclement-weather policy for liturgies and parish activities. Please refer to it as needed.
Inclement-Weather Policy
When there is bad weather, our parish follows Montgomery County Public School closings. If Montgomery County Public Schools are closed (Code Red), all activities are canceled, and the office is closed. In addition, if MCPS cancels evening activities (Code Blue), then evening activities at the parish are also cancelled.
If Montgomery County Public Schools are closed but their administrative offices are open (Code Orange), all activities are canceled, but the office will be open.
Mass and Confession will continue as scheduled. In all cases safety is first and foremost, parishioners and staff are encouraged to use their own judgement when venturing out in times of inclement weather in order not to endanger themselves or their families.
Penance
John the Baptist preached repentance to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. While we do not have an additional parish penance service scheduled, we will work to increase the number of confessors available as we get closer to Christmas. I promised in my homily on Sunday to share the special confession times of nearby parishes. By our repentance, we open our hearts to receive mercy.
Below are some additional opportunities for confession. Please be sure to check each parish’s website for updates and regular confession schedules.
St. Mary’s, Barnesville – December 10 – TODAY!
4:15–5:15 pm / 7:30–8:30 pm (English & Spanish)
St. Francis of Assisi, Derwood – December 15
7:00 pm Penance Service followed by individual confessions (English & Spanish)
St. Paul’s – Friday, December 12 – 9:00–10:30 am
St. Martin of Tours – Weekdays
7:00 am & 9:30 am; Tuesdays and Fridays also at 7:30 pm (English & Spanish)
St. Peter’s, Olney – December 17 at 7:00 pm & December 19 at 1:00 pm
St. Rose of Lima – Thursdays from 7:00–9:00 pm in the Historic Chapel
In Christ who is to come,
Father Kevin Regan
En ce temps de l’Avent, la communauté paroissiale est invitée à avancer ensemble vers la fin de l’Année jubilaire de l’Espérance en suivant trois appels inspirés de saint Jean-Baptiste : prier, se préparer et vivre la pénitence. La prière peut être toute simple : trouver un moment de silence au milieu de l’agitation pour laisser Dieu nous parler. La récente célébration des Leçons et Chants de l’Avent a offert une belle occasion de méditer les promesses du Messie. La préparation inclut aussi l’attention aux conditions hivernales : la paroisse rappelle sa politique en cas d’intempéries pour les messes et activités. Enfin, la pénitence demeure essentielle pour accueillir la miséricorde de Dieu. Bien qu’aucun service supplémentaire ne soit prévu, davantage de confesseurs seront disponibles. Les paroisses voisines proposent aussi des horaires étendus de confession, et il est recommandé de consulter leurs sites web pour les détails les plus récents.
Trong Mùa Vọng này, giáo xứ được mời gọi cùng nhau tiến bước đến cuối Năm Thánh Hy Vọng, theo ba lời mời của thánh Gioan Tẩy Giả: cầu nguyện, chuẩn bị và sám hối. Cầu nguyện không chỉ là hành hương, mà còn là tìm một khoảnh khắc thinh lặng giữa những bận rộn, để Chúa có thể gặp gỡ và đổi mới lòng ta. Buổi “Lời Chúa và Thánh Ca” vừa qua đã giúp cộng đoàn suy niệm các lời hứa của Đấng Cứu Thế. Việc chuẩn bị cũng bao gồm lưu ý đến thời tiết mùa đông; giáo xứ sẽ cung cấp hướng dẫn về các sinh hoạt khi thời tiết xấu. Cuối cùng, sám hối mở lòng ta đón nhận lòng thương xót Chúa. Dù không có buổi sám hối chung, giáo xứ sẽ tăng số linh mục giải tội và nhiều giáo xứ lân cận có các giờ giải tội đặc biệt; xin xem thêm trên trang web của họ.
Queridos Feligreses:
Nos encontramos en medio de nuestro camino de Adviento, recorriendo juntos estas últimas semanas del Año Jubilar de la Esperanza. Quisiera tomar una página sencilla del repertorio de San Juan Bautista: Oración, Preparación y Penitencia.
Oración
La semana pasada les escribí sobre algunos lugares de peregrinación en nuestra área. Con todo el ajetreo de la temporada, la oración no siempre significa ir a algún sitio; a veces simplemente consiste en reducir la velocidad… detenernos a “oler el árbol de Navidad”. Es importante encontrar silencio en nuestro día y en los espacios que ocupamos, un desierto donde Dios pueda encontrarnos y darnos nueva vida.
El pasado viernes, muchos se reunieron para una sencilla liturgia de Lessons and Carols , oración y música centradas en las promesas del Mesías y su cumplimiento en los misterios de la Navidad. Deseo compartir el programa, lleno de Escritura y canto que sacian mucho más que las melodías comerciales de la temporada.
Encuentre el enlace arriba.
Preparación
La semana pasada también vimos la primera nevada de la estación. Aunque no soy meteorólogo, sí soy su pastor, y deseo recordarles nuestra política de inclemencias del tiempo para las liturgias y actividades parroquiales. Por favor, consúltela cuando sea necesario. Véase más arriba en inglés.
Penitencia
San Juan Bautista predicó la conversión para preparar al pueblo a la venida del Mesías. Aunque no tendremos un servicio penitencial adicional, haremos lo posible por aumentar el número de confesores a medida que nos acerquemos a la Navidad. El domingo les prometí compartir los horarios especiales de confesiones en las parroquias cercanas. Mediante nuestro arrepentimiento, abrimos el corazón para recibir la misericordia divina.
A continuación, algunos horarios especiales de confesiones:
- St. Mary’s, Barnesville – 10 de diciembre
4:15–5:15 pm / 7:30–8:30 pm (inglés y español) - St. Francis of Assisi, Derwood – 15 de diciembre
7:00 pm: servicio penitencial seguido de confesiones individuales (inglés y español) - St. Paul’s – Viernes, 12 de diciembre, 9:00–10:30 am
- St. Martin of Tours – Días laborables
7:00 am y 9:30 am; los martes y viernes también a las 7:30 pm (inglés y español) - St. Peter’s, Olney – 17 de diciembre a las 7:00 pm, 19 de diciembre a la 1:00 pm
- St. Rose of Lima – Jueves, 7:00–9:00 pm en la capilla histórica
En todos los casos, por favor consulten los horarios regulares de cada parroquia.
En Cristo que ha de venir,
P. Kevin Regan
