St John the Baptist Catholic Church
  • Home
  • Bulletin
  • Parish News
    • Virtual Tour
    • Parish Blog
    • From the Pastor >
      • Welcome
      • Father's Homilies
      • Parish Mission 2020
      • Parish Mission 2018
      • Parish Mission 2014
    • Parish History >
      • Brief Parish History
      • Extensive Parish Histories
      • Parish Directories
      • Parish History Photo Gallery
    • Past Events
    • Sacred Restoration
    • Staff Directory
    • Parish Committees >
      • Family Life
      • Social Justice
  • Ministries
    • Prayer Chain
    • Prayer Shawl Ministry
    • Mission Team
    • Marriage Resources
    • Ministry Schedules >
      • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
      • Lector Schedule
      • Server Schedule
  • Sacraments
    • Baptism
    • Reconciliation
    • Holy Eucharist
    • Confirmation
    • Holy Matrimony
    • Holy Orders
    • Sacrament of the Sick
  • Religious Education
    • First Communion 2020 >
      • More from July 12 ...
      • More from August 16 ...
    • Marshfield Faith Formation
    • Cherubs
    • Catholic Kids Camp / VBS
    • Columbus Catholic Schools
    • MERIT - for Special Needs
    • Ongoing Education
  • Evangelization/Youth Ministry
    • Formed.org
    • Youth Group
    • Small Groups
    • Adventure Camp
    • Serving the Community >
      • Rotary Winter Wonderland
      • SVDP Fellowship Meal
    • Fundraising Opportunities

From the Desk of Fr. Jim - December 1, 2019

12/4/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
ADVENT 2019 HAS ARRIVED
​

The first Advent spanned thousands of years, from the dawn of creation to the birth of Christ. God does not rush into things, and we have an opportunity each year to enter into the timelessness of God as we prepare for our own advent. Our world is all about instant satisfaction, fast food meals and Fed Ex for when we forget. But when we try to apply this mentality to our spiritual life, we barely touch the surface, and when that fails to satisfy, we are easily tempted to think the spiritual life is too difficult.

Advent gives us a time to slow down. Each year, we have 4 weeks to reset our priorities, to see how healthy our relationship with God stands. God’s promise of salvation is fulfilled in Jesus Christ; flesh and blood, born to Mary and Joseph over 2000 years ago in Bethlehem, and who comes to us each day in the Eucharist, and who will come again at the end of time. Do we believe this, does it impact our lives?

Christmas is not about getting gifts or getting together with friends and family. These are important aspects, but they should flow out of the real reason we celebrate: the Messiah has come, he lives among us, and he calls us to himself. Our lives, both private and public, should reflect this through how we treat our families, our business associates, the poor, the homeless, all whom God puts in our lives. When we say yes to God as Mary did, we open our hearts to him as she did. In doing this, Christ grows in our hearts, little by little, as he did in Mary’s womb. One day we will no longer be able to contain him, and he will burst forth from our hearts, changing our world and the world all around us.

All of this begins only one way: prayer. We must become men and women of prayer if we want to change our world, beginning with ourselves. We need to be in touch with the One who is our creator each day. Begin with 10 minutes a day, read a bit of the story of the birth of Jesus before dinner, (Lk 1-2) discuss this with your children or spouse over dinner. In this way, it will be easy to finish the story by Christmas. Let this Advent be the first Advent of the rest of your lives. 

Advent Wreath

In many Christian homes and churches, the season of Advent is celebrated by placing an
Advent wreath in a place of honor and lighting the candles. Oftentimes, in the home this is done at dinnertime with the family, and there are Scripture readings and other prayers said at this time. It can be an excellent opportunity to teach our younger children and deepen family devotion. Many families use other devotional items as well, such as a Jesse Tree or an Advent calendar, but the wreath plays a special part, as it can be a link between what happens in our homes and our liturgical celebrations in our churches.


While the origins of the wreath are not certain, they can be traces to pre-Christian times, where they were used as a sign of hope that soon the days would begin to grow in length. By the Middle Ages, Christians adapted this tradition as part of their preparation for the Christmas season.

The circle of the wreath is a symbol of God, with no beginning and no end, His eternity and endless mercy. The evergreen is a symbol of hope and eternal life. The candles are symbols of the light of Christ who will soon enter into the world. Each candle represents a period of waiting, symbolizing the 4 centuries from the prophet Malachi to the birth of Christ. The purple candles represent the time of prayer, penance and sacrifice leading up the Christ’s birth. The pink candle represents the joy of our anticipation, as we have come to the mid-point of the Advent season. In many Advent wreaths, there is a white candle in the center of the wreath, representing Christ who is at the center of this season and our lives. This candle is lit on Christmas Eve.

If this is not a tradition in your family, perhaps consider beginning a new Advent tradition. Making use of a wreath can be a means of deepening your family’s spiritual preparation for the birth of Christ, as well as help bring the family together for prayer and meals, which will help build and strengthen our families.

May God bless you and your families this Advent and Christmas seasons.
Fr. Jim 
​
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    MASS SCHEDULE
      Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM

      Saturday: 8:00 AM
      Saturday: 4:30 PM

      Sunday: 7:00, 9:00 & 11:00 AM
    CONFESSION SCHEDULE
     Tuesday–Friday: 6:30 - 6:50 AM
     1st and 3rd Fridays: Confessions begin at 6:00*
     Saturday: 3:30 - 4:15 PM

    *Friday confessions begin at 6:00, but vary in duration
    ADORATION

    PERPETUAL ADORATION:  The Marshfield Deanery has the St. John Paul II Adoration Chapel located in the lower level of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, at 201 W. Blodgett Street. The chapel is accessible from the rear parking lot.  For more information or to sign up, contact Jean Kaiser at 715-503-0118 or Deacon Ray Draeger at 715-207-6085. Click on the image below for more information
    Picture

    Stay Connected with Our Parish

    Welcome From Our Pastor
    Picture
    Welcome to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church!  Ever since 1877 this parish has been assisting souls in their quest for deeper union with God.  Pope John Paul II called the parish a “school of prayer” and St. John’s is committed to promoting growth in holiness in every state in life.  Each of us is called... Read More
    ​

    Picture

    Safe Environment Program

    Picture

    Archives

    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    Categories

    All
    Adult Formation
    Catholic News
    Father Martin
    Homilies
    Parish News
    Pastor's Desk
    Youth

    RSS Feed

 *All photos and videos on this site are used with permission. Special thanks to Dorothy Flees for contributing countless photos. Unauthorized duplication, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. | Copyright © 2020 Saint John the Baptist Parish. All Rights Reserved.
201 W. Blodgett St.. Marshfield, WI 54449 
​  715-384-3252 (parish office) 715-384-4989 (school)