The Fourth Sunday of Advent

“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you
by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

These words from the mouth of Elizabeth to her much younger cousin, Mary, provide a wonderful source of reflection for this last week of Advent. For context, Mary had just said “yes” to the angel Gabriel that she would become the Mother of the Savior and immediately following, she left her home in Nazareth and went to the “hill country to a town of Judah” which is known as Ein Karem (some 80 miles away!). After Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth cried out “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (does that sound familiar?) and then Elizabeth questioned why such great things ought to be happening to her. She ends her greeting with the words quoted above about Mary: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”  
 
You and I can share in that same blessing as our faith is deepened by the grace of God as we start   believing even more in the Lord’s promises. We started off the Season of Advent recalling that this is the time of year when Christians remind each other of God’s faithfulness. I hope you and I will take some quiet time in this busy pre-Christmas week to reflect on how God has been at work, is at work, and will be at work in our lives. Please share God’s faithfulness to you with others, and please invite family and friends to join you for Christmas Mass this coming Friday (Christmas Eve) or Saturday (Christmas Day).
 
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus. Maranatha!
Come, Lord Jesus.

Important Information on Mask Wearing
 
The California Department of Public Health recently reinstated a mask mandate for all indoor activity, beginning Wednesday, December 15, 2021 until January 15, 2022, regardless of vaccination status. 
 
  •  The Diocese of Orange has informed all parishes that this mandate does not affect our parishes during Mass, the other Sacraments, or Devotions.

  • The Diocese reiterated that all unvaccinated people are asked to wear a mask during Mass, while those fully vaccinated are free to do so if they wish.

Monsignor John Urell
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