December 14, 2025

Dear Friends, I still have a handwritten calendar. I have an iPhone that I still could learn about its functions. I still have deadlines that come at me quickly, particularly this time of year from bulletin publishers and others. I never wanted to be a proofreader. As a Staff, everyone is given the opportunity to proofread the communication that is forthcoming from our office, me included. Oh, I cringe at that task. So, I was ahead of myself by a week and didn’t catch it (nor did any proofreaders) that I was ahead of myself with last week’s bulletin, parish email, etc. It’s Advent. I love this liturgical season and I try to slow down, encourage others to do the same in the midst of what these four weeks ( if actually we get a full four weeks) to just “be” and prepare for what is most essential, the celebration and recognition of what it means to have the Son of God come into our midst. With deadlines, and other responsibilities, I said I wasn’t going to be with you the First Sunday of Advent. Update, I was and I am not with you this Second Sunday of Advent. This weekend we focus on peace. I need it. I’m going to go all out and think you need it as well. Yes, the Peace of Christ that brings to the world relational peace to all. SO, please bear with me and I will repeat what I shared in the last bulletin. “This very weekend I will be presiding at the funeral of my dear friend, “brother,” Jerry Koen. Friends and family will gather at Saint Mary Star of the Sea in Beverly, Massachusetts. This is where I met Jerry, his beloved wife, Sally, and their five sons in 1981. God blessed us with forty plus years of friendship, being family to one another and all those moments every family experiences. These days and years have all gone by too quickly for me. They are filled with gifts of love that I will be ever grateful for today and for as long as I might live. Many years ago, a very dear friend gifted me with a book I have never forgotten. It is entitled, “The Precious Present.” It is a good reminder along with this weekend’s scriptures (Week Two is as relevant as Week One was) to keep ourselves focused and present to the precious present of this day. Jerry and Sally have given me this even having me “live in their home” (me casa, su casa) for decades. They and our faith in Jesus have blessed us to know our eternal home is where one day we shall reside forever. God’s peace to you Jerry as you are now reunited with Sally. Thank you for all your love.” Once in a while some things are worth repeating. I hope those of you who are reading this message understand my repetition. Love does bear repeating when you have been blessed by unbelievable people in your life. I am blessed. You are too! Father Rob

Dear Friends, This very weekend we begin with one another a new liturgical year with the Season of Advent! Our themes traditionally celebrated each Sunday of Advent are Hope, Peace, Joy and Love! This Sunday we focus on Hope anticipating Jesus’s coming and the hope he provides. The readings call out to us to be ready to meet the Lord! He may come when we least expect so let’s not put off to tomorrow what we should be addressing today! Most of us express how quickly time passes and certainly these four weeks of Advent will pass all too quickly (at least for me ) and Christmas Day will be right before us. Our days are shorter, and night comes before us so fast. Let us acknowledge this time of change, a new season of Advent, and the Christmas Season around the corner not miss what we have right before us in the present moment. May we pace ourselves, best we can, to appreciate the prayerfulness and wonder of these Advent days. All parishioners should have received by now a postcard from your Staff highlighting Advent opportunities being offered by our parishes. I hope you can take advantage as many of these sacred moments possible to make these days blessed in your journey to the birthday of our Lord. So, we begin on a note of Hope! The next three weekends we will reflect on the Peace of Christ that that brings to the world relational peace to all, Joy focusing on the birth of Jesus, and Love, centering on God’s love for all humanity and our responsibility to show love to others. I will be away this first Sunday of Advent. This very weekend I will be presiding at the funeral of my dear friend, “brother”, Jerry Koen. Friends and family will gather at Saint Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Beverly, Massachusetts. This is where I met Jerry, his beloved wife Sally, and five sons in 1981. God blessed us with forty plus years of friendship, being family to one another and all those moments every family experiences. Like my reflection above about Advent, these days and years have all gone by too quickly for me. They are filled with gifts of love that I will be ever grateful for today and for as long as I might live. Many years ago, another very dear friend gifted me with a book I have never forgotten. It is entitled, “The Precious Present.” It is a good reminder along with this weekend’s scriptures to keep ourselves focused and present to the precious present of this very day. Jerry and Sally have given me this even having me “live in their home” (mi casa, su casa) for decades. They and our faith in Jesus have blessed us to know our eternal home is where one day we shall reside forever. God’s peace to you Jerry as you are now reunited with Sally. Thank you for all your love. Friends, enjoy your “Precious Present”. Blessings, Father Rob