In the letter to the Ephesians, Saint Paul wrote, “Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with the flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness.” (Ephesians 6:11-12)

Saint Paul understood that evil often operates by subtle tactics to lure us to deviate from reaching our ultimate goal of unity with God. Unfortunately, this Fall, we witnessed the devil’s presence in the world, visible in the conflicts in the Middle East and still in Ukraine, and maybe invisible around us.

The nature of the seasons in Pittsford and other parts of the world reminds us that time passes. Our lives are filled with many activities, and we try to meet the demands that are made. With this last part of the liturgical year comes the invitation to consider the “last things” and the goal of our earthly pilgrimage: the Kingdom of God.

The Church begins a new year of grace on this first Sunday of Advent. It is the beginning of a new liturgical year. The Church commits herself to respond to Our Lord’s invitation to follow Him and to grow in His image and likeness, to reflect the light of Christ’s own life, and to walk not in darkness but to have the light of life. The holy season of Advent is a time of preparation for the Lord’s coming: His first coming in history, that is, His birth, which Christmas celebrates, and His second coming at the end of time and end of our time here on earth.

Advent is a time of preparation, a time of holy desire, longing, expectancy, a time of vigilant waiting. This holy season invites us to enter the silence as we await the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord. Advent invites us to begin anew, with an even greater commitment to imitate Jesus in His self-sacrificing love as we prepare to celebrate another Christmas in our lives.

Let’s prepare spiritually for another good Christmas and welcome the Christ, the Light in our hearts, among our families, and communities.

Happy Advent!

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Mitch

P.S. Allow me to give three THANK YOUs.

1. Thank you so much to ALL those who donated/pledged to the Catholic Ministries Appeal.
2. Thank you very much to those who supported our HVAC project. We would like to publish all the names in our Annual Newsletter of those who gave or will give before Dec. 15. 2023.
3. Thank you to all volunteers and ministers who do marvelous work at our Parish. We need you and others!