Dear Parishioners,

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Advent is the time to prepare for the coming of the Lord. And how is that preparation done? Well, according to the advertising barrage we experience at this time of the year, preparation means spending. The truth is that the word “spending” only captures the fact that an exchange of material goods is transacted. The real preparation for this season comes, not through spending, but through giving. The act of giving involves a decision of love to bless the other, whether that be God or other people.

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I am grateful for the many people who give at this time of the year, materially or otherwise. I am grateful for those:

• who give of their time and talent to bless others at our Crock Pot Community Meal, in particular Joanne Pogros who organizes it every month.

• who helped out with the St. Julie’s Christmas Craft Bazaar, especially Joe Kotarsky and the St. Julie Craft Bazaar team.

• generous donors of St. Julie Billiart Parish to the Retirement for Religious collection that will be taken up this weekend here throughout out our nation.

• who bring the mercy of God to us through the Sacrament of Penance, which will be celebrated this Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at St. Julie Parish.

• give of themselves to bring peace to the souls of sinners, especially my brother priests.

This is the season, not so much for spending but for giving.

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Last Monday, Fr. Isidore and I visited PSR classes at St. Peter Parish after their Penance Service. In one of the younger grades I asked, “Whose birthday are we preparing for?” One little girl said, “Mine!” Her birthday is at the beginning of January. I congratulated her and told her that I too had a January birthday. However, seeing this as a teachable moment, I reminded the class that we are really preparing to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ, our true hope.

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As we journey through this Advent Season, I encourage you to give yourself to the Lord. Some of this giving may be spending time in prayer. Some of this giving may be cheerfully attending your child’s Christmas concert. Some of this giving may be expressed in supporting a local charity. Some of this giving may be expressed in supporting St. Julie Billiart Parish.

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Our gospel reading from the beginning of the Gospel of Mark focuses on John the Baptist. His mission is described by quoting Isaiah the prophet: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Our first reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah elaborates what it means to make straight. It involves filling in valleys, leveling mountains, straightening crooked ways and smoothing rugged land.

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Isaiah reminds us that we are all “works in progress”. When we recognize this about other people we will be more inclined to treat them with compassion. God is doing some construction in their lives: leveling pride, building up confidence, straightening out wayward manners. We need to treat others with understanding more than with judgement. We also need to acknowledge this for ourselves. God is at work in us. Besides having a measure of gentleness towards ourselves, we can recognize God’s work in us and willingly cooperate with his transformative work.

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As we prepare for the coming of the Lord, may our giving open ourselves up more deeply to the Gift of Gifts, Jesus Christ.

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In Christ,

Fr. Bob Franco

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