December 17, 2023

Dear Parishioners,

I look forward to meeting Saint John the Baptist in heaven. He was a little bit loco, and I like it. I have a little bit of the loco in me as well (I think all priests do), and while I’ve worked to refine it over the years so as not to put too many people off, in heaven I look forward to unleashing it. Loco…crazy for Christ, that is. “Do not quench the Spirit,” says Saint Paul in our second reading today (1 Thessalonians 5:19). I think I’ll be in good company with many of the crazy saints.

 Last week we spoke about how John lived off locusts and wild honey out of his love for God. Now we hear about how he identifies himself: “the voice of one crying out in the desert…” I could picture a wild man on the Jordan River yelling out at people to believe in God. John would have been a ‘fire and brimstone’-type preacher. But one who attracts people. There was something about his preaching that was mesmerizing. Thousands went to see John by the river. Many claimed to be John’s disciple, though he wasn’t trying to form disciples. John was not some milk-toasty guy. He was awesome. “Do not despise prophetic utterances,” adds Saint Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

Finally, John baptized. We take baptism for granted now, but then it would have been fascinating. Think about it. Pouring water over some stranger’s head. Pretty bizarre, no? And John wasn’t just pouring, he was dunking people in the Jordan River. Again, signs of an eclectic guy.

When I heard the call to be a priest when I was in college and joined seminary, I heard a voice telling me, “get people fired up.” I didn’t want to be a boring preacher or some low-energy parish priest. Christ is exciting – I gave my whole life for him – and I want others to feel that same joy around our Lord.

If you have that fire within you, don’t be afraid to spread it. Ask Saint John the Baptist for courage. If you are lukewarm, then ask Saint John the Baptist to light you up.

We are all so excited for Christmas next week. Let’s get excited for the right reason. Not the gifts we’ll receive or the generic “spirit of the season.” No, let’s get excited for Jesus Christ to come alive again in our hearts and in our world.

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Thank you to all who both volunteered and contributed to our food pantry Christmas dinner distribution this past Saturday. A special thanks to Jewel-Osco on Busse Hwy for the donation of the ham dinners. 

One of the great strengths of our parish is our number of volunteers in a variety of services. I’ve never once had to go begging people to help, whether it’s serve in our sacristy or run a spiritual group. So many of you are generous and capable, and I’m grateful to you. It’s a sign the Holy Spirit is moving actively here. So, in appreciation for all you do, we are hosting a Volunteer Christmas Appreciation Dinner this Tuesday, December 19th at 6pm in the gymnasium. If you are a volunteer in some capacity, be it through the parish or school, you should have received a special evite to what, I hope will be, an annual tradition. I look forward to seeing you and thanking you in person.

This Wednesday will be our last Wednesday morning Scripture Seminar for a few weeks, as we will pause for the holidays. We will resume on January 10th. 

As you probably know by now, the Christmas calendar is a bit unique this year, as Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday. This means the 4th Week of Advent lasts not a week but about 12 hours. For the 4th Week of Advent we will have just two Masses: Saturday, December 23th at 4:30pm and Sunday, December 24th at 9am. The Christmas Eve Masses will be later that Sunday afternoon, at 3pm (in the gym and in the UC) and at 4:30pm. Please check the rest of the Christmas schedule, but be sure to realize that the 9am Mass on Sunday, December 24th does not fulfill the Christmas obligation.

Finally, welcome home to our college students returning for break and enjoy the break to the rest of our students.

Yours in Christ,