1171 NE Sand Hill Rd | Belfair, WA 98528

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Pastor's Page 2022-11-27

Dear Parishioners:

… … Happy Advent Season … …

---We begin the Virtual Pilgrimage TODAY … 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 to late to sign up and
invite a friend to journey with YOU and your family on this Virtual Pilgrimage. Please
see the bulletin page for instruction how to join in this Virtual Pilgrimage or the
electronic version in the parish website. May you have an inspired Pilgrimage with
family and friends.
---The new Liturgical Year begins with the Advent Season in which the people of God
recalled the “longing of the Messiah” coming as promised in the Scripture and for His
coming again in our time. Today, the Church lights the first of four candles on the
Advent wreath to reflect upon the great mystery, perhaps, you will want to light a candle
as well in reflecting along with the Church and your own thoughts as we recalled this
great event.
Like the Israelites had been waiting for this Messiah; during Advent, we too, anticipate
the arrival of the Messiah. But it’s not the powerful, royal, military Messiah the
Israelites envisioned. For us, the Messiah comes as a baby, born to a carpenter and his
wife, in a stable in Bethlehem. Jesus’ disciples had to re-think their perception of the
Messiah because he wasn’t going to be the Messiah they expected. That is something
that has been true for those who follow Jesus from the very beginning until now, and it
will continue until the end of time. Jesus isn’t always the Messiah I expect!!
The first reading from the prophet Isaiah (2:1-5) sends chills up and down our spines
today. The prophet describes a beautiful and rather unexpected vision of universal
salvation, justice and peace, not only for Jerusalem and the Holy Land, but for all of
humanity.
In the second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans (13:11-14), the Apostle to the
Gentiles says that Christians claim to be people of the new day that will dawn with the
return of Christ.
In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew (24:37-44), Noah’s contemporaries were
unprepared for the flood. They didn’t dream of an event that would mark the end of time
as they knew it. The people of Noah’s time were so caught up in everyday affairs that
they failed to take precautions against the flood.  Three parables are told to remind us of
the necessity of vigilance – because the Second Coming has no “estimated time of
arrival.”
Time is central to the Christian celebration of Advent.  This season reminds us that the
mystery of faith is not complete until Jesus’ Second Coming.  We are living in-between
the time of Resurrection-Ascension-Pentecost and the time of “the final coming”. 
How do we deal with the issue of time?

Christ has given us warning of such an event coming.  We can’t say, “We had no idea,”
as the people said up to the day that Noah went into the ark and closed the door.
Advent asks us to be aware of responsibilities and see to their fulfilment!  Advent
challenges us to attend to relationships, reach out to the needy, cherish the gift of human
life, and make time for prayer!  The Second Coming thus becomes an event that gives
purpose and energy to our every breath and pulse here and now.
---Ending the week of “Thanksgiving Day”, the spirit of “thanks” also extended to the
many families who have renewed their support to the parish in returning a Stewardship
Card to the parish. As a sign of a good steward, for those who didn’t have opportunity to
fill out “A Stewardship of Treasure Card”, please recommit your support to our parish
by returning you Stewardship Card in the collection basket or mail to the parish office.
Don’t forget to take home a Parish Synodal Report with links to the “Archdiocesan
Summary Report” and the “United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Region XXII
Report”. The Regional Report will be incorporated to the overall “U.S.C.C.B Report”,
which is the official U.S. Report at the Synodal of Bishops Meeting with the Pope in
2023. A big word of THANK to parishioners who helped to lead and participate in this
Synodal Listening Process.
---A special word of “Thank” to all the Church’s Environment Group and all
parishioners who came to help transform our worship place to the Advent Season, the
beginning of another Liturgical Year.
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang

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