​What is Advent?
As a child I didn’t think much about Advent.  And I probably wouldn’t have even known this season HAD a name if it wasn’t for Advent calendars.  I loved those.  They helped me count down the days to Christmas, the day on which I would get presents.  That really was what it was all about for me.  And I guess that makes total sense.  I knew that we were somehow celebrating Jesus’ “birthday” . . . but beyond that this season was all about going through the Sears catalog (Remember that?) and making my list for Santa.  And this season was also about daydreaming at school as I looked forward to a couple of weeks off.  And the only praying I did during this time was for snow.  After all, I was a kid.
I’d like to say that Advent is much different for me as an adult . . . but that wouldn’t be entirely accurate.  And yes . . . I know I have very specific duties during this time as my role as clergy, but make no mistake about it . . . I am on the exact same journey as all of you.  I don’t want to feel burdened or overwhelmed by this season.  I don’t want to dread all the things that I’m expected to be at, or preside at . . . things that sometimes leave me exhausted.  I don’t want to have to spend a lot of time shopping for presents and sending cards and such.  I guess the simplest way to put it is . . . I don’t want to feel the way many of you feel.  I don’t want to be thinking, “I can’t wait for it all to be over.”  But what exactly DO I want from this holy season?  I guess I want something.  But what is that something?  I’m not exactly sure.  And so, I ask again . . . what is Advent for?
If you think I’m going to answer that question in a complete way, you are mistaken.  Not because I don’t want to . . . but because the answer to that question is different for each of us.  And so a “one size fits all” kind of answer doesn’t quite work.  And yet . . . now that I think about it . . . I think I might have just answered the question a moment ago.
What do I want from this holy season?  Something!
And you know what?  If I’m open to it, I’m guaranteed to get it.
The Gospel passage we just heard from Mark has a sense of urgency about it.  We’re told to be watchful and alert.  We’re told to stay awake and not be caught sleeping.  We’re told that someone is coming, but we won’t know exactly when . . . and therefore, we better not get caught off guard.
Do we believe it?   Do we embrace it?   Are we ready?  Are we watchful?
I said earlier that Advent is ultimately different for each of us, that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to this holy season.  Well, that’s only partially true.  You see, in one sense, the gift we can expect to receive this Christmas morning, the gift we are waiting for, is exactly the same for each of us.  And this gift of course, is not a thing but a person . . . the person of Jesus.  He is the one each of us is waiting for, longing for, hoping for.  At least . . . that’s the idea . . . that’s what our faith invites us to embrace.  But the “something” that this “someone” (Jesus) wants to provide for us is in fact unique to each one of us . . . tailored to our own needs, wants, and possibilities.

On this Feast of Christ the King we find ourselves in very different circumstances. Previously a weekend of celebration and gathering has been reduced to a simple observance. The pandemic has altered life as we have known it, and not for the better. We have all experienced, if not for ourselves, someone who has contracted the virus. Some of those who have not, well, they are living in fear, due to underlying health issues that they have. I myself worry that if I do contract the virus I will have to cancel Masses since we do not have help out priests who could take over. This is also the recommendation of the diocese and has been agreed upon at our own deanery meeting. 
The pandemic also makes us concerned for upcoming celebrations; Thanksgiving and Christmas. What will they look like this year? My answer, they will look exactly like what we make of them! Will we be taking meals to those who otherwise wouldn’t have them, facetiming or other social media gatherings. Will we sit outside in the garage or outside a window letting some-one know they are worth the effort? Will we simply pick up the phone and be with them the best we can? 
Pope Pius XI issued the encyclical Quas Primas (does not belong to this world) On the Feast of Christ the King in 1925. In it, Pope Pius XI illuminated how society was already laden with difficulties. These “manifold evils in the world were due to the fact that the majority of men had thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives; that these had no place either in private affairs or in politics: and he said further, that as long as individuals and states refused to submit to the rule of our Savior, there would be no really hopeful prospect of a lasting peace among nations.” Men had to look for “the peace of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ. Pope Pius XI reminded that 1925 marked the 16th centenary of the Council of Nicaea which added to the Creed “‘of whose kingdom there shall be no end,’ thereby affirming the kingly dignity of Christ.” He noted Jesus is King in all ways, such as King of Hearts by reason of his “charity which exceedeth all knowledge.” And his mercy and kindness which draw all men to him, for never has it been known, nor will it ever be, that man be loved so much and so universally as Jesus Christ. As King, Our Lord has universal dominion. He is our “lawgiver, to whom obedience is due…Those who keep them show their love for their Divine Master, and he promises that they shall remain in his love.” The Father gives all judgement to the Son, who is Jesus the King. “Executive power, too, belongs to Christ, for all must obey his commands; none may escape them, nor the sanctions he has imposed.” There’s this to consider too. Jesus told Pilate his kingdom was not of this world. Pope Pius XI said, “This kingdom is opposed to none other than to that of Satan and to the power of darkness. It demands of its subjects a spirit of detachment from riches and earthly things, and a spirit of gentleness. They must hunger and thirst after justice, and more than this, they must deny themselves and carry the cross.” This was true in 1925 and remains true today, 95 years later. This Feast, which we are blessed with as a Patron name, signifies much more than we realize sometimes. It is a sign of true Kingship, a King who watches over his subjects with great authority and compassion. A Kingdom which spreads all those attributes of the image we were made in.
This doesn’t stop because of a pandemic, this is when the Light of Christ truly shines forth. Make the best of this holiday season, stay united in this great Kingdom God has made for each of us. Continue to show that love, and may each of you have a blessed Feast Day and Thanksgiving.

I remember growing up and being very excited about the new television season starting. Dallas is one that sticks out the most. All summer we heard the advertisements, “who shot JR.” And it was a well anticipated cliff hanger that the previous season had left viewers hanging on to! As the seasons went on, they became even more intriguing, almost veering from the first season completely, and toward the end I didn’t really find it as interesting. It’s all too much. In other words, many TV producers feel that every new season has to outdo the previous one. It’s not ok to simply redo what has worked in the past. That’s not good enough. More is better. And the same, well, is bad. What’s wrong with staying the same? “Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said . . . ‘Here it is back.’” That doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Our Gospel parable from Matthew this week is one we have heard many times before. A master is going on a journey, and leaves money “talents” with each of his three servants, according to each’s ability. When he returns, two of the servants have used the money well, and have more to give back than what they were entrusted with. But the third servant did absolutely nothing with the money, burying it in the ground out of fear. And, well, his master is not pleased, to put it mildly. I wonder if that third servant had any idea his master would react that way. If you think about it, he actually did the safe thing. And he didn’t lose anything. Not a cent. He probably thought it would be completely ok to be able to say to his master, “Here it is back.” Or put another way, “See . . . everything’s exactly the same as when you left.” Usually, when this story is read at Mass, the priest or deacon will talk about the importance of using the gifts God has given us. And that absolutely is a valid way to interpret this story, and certainly the most common. But what if we just broaden the scope of the story a little bit, step back and see a slightly bigger picture? What if the things we are burying in the ground are not simply our gifts, but actually our whole selves? I guess I should be happy that the makers of the shows I like are trying new things, trying to make better shows, trying to improve on what is already pretty good. And that goes for any other products too . . . cars, phones, food, lodging, whatever. I should be glad that there are many people in business who don’t simply adopt the status quo and say, “Everything is just fine the way it is.” Rather, I should be grateful that there are people constantly wondering, “What can we do better? What can we make better? And in some cases, whose lives can we make better? And I know that the pursuit of money drives many of these things I’m talking about . . . but at least there is a sincere realization that there is always room for improvement, always an opportunity to make a step forward, always an opportunity for something to be more tomorrow than it is today. Do we feel the same way, do we participate the same way? Have a blessed week, and be more today than you were yesterday! Fr. Barry

​What is All Saints Day?
All Saints Day, also known as All Hallows' Day, or Hallowmas, is a Christian celebration in honor of all the saints from Christian history. In Western Christianity, it is observed on November 1st by the Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist Church, the Lutheran Church, and other Protestant denominations. The Eastern Orthodox Church and associated Eastern Catholic churches observe All Saints Day on the first Sunday following Pentecost. 
The Christian festival of All Saints Day comes from a conviction that there is a spiritual connection between those in Heaven and on Earth. In Catholic tradition, the holiday honors all those who have passed on to the Kingdom of Heaven. It is a national holiday in numerous historically Catholic countries. In Methodist tradition, All Saints Day relates to giving God earnest gratitude for the lives and deaths of his saints, remembering those who were well-known and not. Additionally, individuals throughout Christian history are celebrated, such as Peter the Apostle and Charles Wesley, as well as people who have personally guided one to faith in Jesus, such as one's relative or friend.
In honor and in remembrance to those who have died this past year, pictures will be in the sanctuary area for the month of November.  A Candle for each person will be lit at each Mass this weekend and the family of the deceased can take that candle anytime next week, leaving the picture throughout the month. 
As we pray for these deceased parishioners, we also remember many of them during our Masses throughout the year.  I always thought it odd to hear that growing up, but over the years have found great comfort in knowing our deceased loved ones are being prayed for not only through the Celebration of Mass, but also by the priest throughout that day.  Although 2020 has been filled up for Mass intentions, don’t forget to schedule Masses for 2021.  What a beautiful blessing to assist our faithfully departed to heaven!
May each of you have a blessed week, and know you and your loved ones remain in my prayers.
God Bless,
Fr. Barry