Dear Parish Family,

We can receive great consolation from the readings this Second Sunday of Advent. The Lord gives comfort to His people, speaking tenderly to them, being patient with them as they prepare the way of the Lord. The gentle peace and comfort suggested here is not one of complacency or satisfaction with our fallen world, but rather are geared towards our repentance, enabling us to become people who will enact the merciful justice and righteousness of God in our lives, and to prepare ourselves for the day of redemption which is at hand. St. Peter says it well: "What sort of persons ought you to be, conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion…Be eager to be found without spot or blemish before Him, at peace."

This sense of redemption in becoming the person God wants me to be can be hard work, which is why many avoid a deeper conversion to the Lord! We who come to Church week after week (as we ought!) can forget just how difficult it can be for someone not in that rhythm of weekly worship to put God into first place in their lives. We know intuitively that if we put God first, we will change - not because God forces us to change, but because being close to Him will prompt us to seek Him first in all aspects of our lives.

The Lord challenges us to take the invitation and risk to put Him first. Lead the way of witness to what a life fully surrendered to God looks like. When we take this risk, invitation, and challenge we will go through trial and tribulation, but we will be pure and at peace knowing that we have returned everything to God who has given us all we have and are.

Advent Communal Penance - Mon Dec 11 at 7 pm
We are partnering with St. Gabriel Parish in Concord to host a Communal Penance Service at St. Mary's in Chardon this Monday, December 11 at 7:00 pm. A Communal Penance Service is a Liturgy of the Word service with an examination of conscience and opportunity for individual confession with a priest. A number of priests from our area will be available to hear confessions. I encourage you to come pray with and for one another at this service as we open our hearts together to the Lord's merciful love for us.

New Parishioner Welcome Blessing & Reception
We had 18 new families join our parish the last year and a half, and many of them were able to come to our new parishioner welcome and blessing at Mass last Sunday and to our donut reception afterwards. If you are new to the parish, we would love to have you register and make St. Patrick's your parish home. I look forward to our continued growth in the Lord as we draw near to Him as a parish family this Advent and beyond.

Mass Obligations for Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas
Since the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Dec 23-24) and Christmas (Dec 24-25) fall side-by-side this year, remember that we are obligated to celebrate BOTH the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Dec 23 Vigil Mass or Dec 24 morning Mass) AND Christmas Mass (Dec 24 Christmas Eve Mass or Dec 25 Christmas Day Mass). Please know that if you attend different celebrations on the same day (like attending both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve on December 24), you can receive communion at both of those liturgies. Remember also that the word 'obligated' means that God has extended to you a gracious invitation for your salvation and a wonderful opportunity to draw close to Him through the Word and Sacrament of the Eucharist!

I am yours in Christ,
Fr. Scott Goodfellow