Dear Parishioners:
---We have begun the Virtual Pilgrimage … and DON’T FORGET TO SUBMIT
YOUR “Physical and Spiritual Miles” on every Friday. The goal is to travel from our
Home Mother Church of Cathedral of St. James, Seattle to the Basilica, Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., beginning on the First Sunday of Advent
November 27, 2022 to Pentecost Sunday May 27, 2023. It’s not too late to sign up and
invite a friend to journey with YOU and your family on this Virtual Pilgrimage. Please
pick-up an instruction sheet at the entrances to sign up or find in the electronic version in
the parish website. May you have an inspired Pilgrimage with family and friends.
---We continue to reflect on prophet Isaiah 35:1-10 for this third Sunday of Advent, who
announces the end of the Babylonian captivity, presenting a stirring vision of deliverance,
freedom, and salvation. The prophet recalls the joyous memories of the exodus from
Egypt. A second exodus is in store, symbolized by the healing granted to the blind, the
dead, the lame, and the mute.
The way of Israel in the desert is the way for all of us. As we celebrate the third Sunday
of Advent, Gaudete Sunday or the day of rejoicing, we join with the exiles of Israel and
the disciples of John the Baptist as we yearn for salvation, and long for new life to
blossom. This week let us carve out some spiritual space in our lives where we can strip
away the false things that cling to us and breathe new life into our dreams and begin
again.
In the midst of the desert we hear what God will do if we open our hearts to him and
allow him to make our own deserts bloom. What God does to the southern desert of
Israel, God will do for us: transform our barrenness into life, and trace a highway and a
holy way in places we believed to be lifeless and hopeless.
Are we on the Highway of Holiness?
Are we making progress on it?
Are we enjoying the travel?
Are we inviting others to join us on the way?
---We’re entering the 3 rd week of Advent Season (Gaudete – Rejoice) – the Rose color
candle will be lid on the Advent Wreath. May all of us have an opportunity to truly
prepare for Christ’s coming in some practical ways: Set aside time to pray at home,
coming to Church, take time to read and reflect on the Bible and perhaps, share the
meaning of longing for the miracle of Christmas in your family and with others.
Also, along with the Church Scripture focuses on the history of the “birth of Jesus”
starting on December 17-24, the celebration of Simbang Gabi (a Filipino’s tradition)
and the Los Posada (a Hispanic’s tradition).
Please check the bulletin weekly. Here are a few examples:
---Please take home an Advent Blue Book to help you in this on-going richness
reflection of this Preparation that lead us to celebrate the Christmas Season soon.
-The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be on Monday, December 12 at 5:00 PM
in Spanish with Reception follow in the Parish Hall
---Advent Communal Penance Service:
-Tuesday Dec. 13 – 5:00 PM at Prince of Peace, Belfair, with opportunity for individual
confession after the Penance Service.
-Wednesday Dec. 14 - 7:00 PM at St. Gabriel, with opportunity for individual
confession after the Penance Service.
---Individual Reconciliation – Every Thursdays before or after 10:00 AM Mass and
Every Saturdays from 4:00 – 4:30 PM.
---Novena Los Posada at Prince of Peace from – Guatemalan Community Dec. 16 –
Dec. 24 (see Advent and Christmas Calendar).
---Simbang Gabi – Novena in preparation for Christmas by the Filipino’s community –
Saturday Dec. 17 – at 6:30 PM Mass and Festivities afterward. This year, we combined
this Celebration together at St. Gabriel Parish.
---The Calendar Year is coming to the end soon. I’d like to take this opportunity “to
thank” for your participation in many different ministries and volunteer opportunities in
our parish community. Especially, I’d like to thank for your Stewardship of Time,
Talent and Treasure in the year of 2022. Please be aware that “all tax deductable
contribution” to the parish has to be done in the last week of December up to December
31 to be included for 2022.
May our Advent preparation truly lead us to Christ who is our Hope and Joy.
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang