The Second Candle (The Candle of the Way) - The second candle shows that Christ is the Way. Christians are lost in sin and Christ is the Light sent into the world to show them the way out of darkness.
During these weeks of Advent, we read and reflect on the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies. At the same time we experience the fulfillment of the Gospel in our own continuing faith responses to these stories.
I challenge you to remain focused without being drawn into the consumerism that is so prevalent in the weeks prior to Christmas. By this time, we have all been bom barded with the latest and greatest gifts for Christmas. Creative advertising invites us to buy, buy, buy.
Baking cookies, shopping for small gifts for family, and planning our decorations are all things we love to do. Meanwhile, keep in mind the reason we are planning for this joyous celebration.
Jesus was poor and He loved the poor above all others. Advent provides us with many opportunities to do acts of kindness for others. In these difficult economic times, you may not have excess money, but we all have time and tal ent we can use in the service of others.
On Dec. 8th, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. It is one of only two Holy Days of Obligation in our Diocese of Honolulu. Please check the Mass schedule for Tuesday the 8th.
On Dec. 12th, the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She is the patroness of the Ameri cas. Since Our Lady appeared to St. Juan Diego in Mex ico, this feast has particular significance for the Mexi can people. I would like to invite you to join Fr. John and the Hispanic Community to participate in this festive event. Las Mañanitas will be held in the tent at 6pm. Come, Listen to the singing. Join in if you know Spanish. At 7pm, Fr. John will celebrate the Mass for the feast.
Please continue to pray and offer support to the seven children and three adults we welcomed into the Catechu menate last Sunday. There are also two adult Candidates who are preparing to ask for full participation in the Catholic Church. Both are baptized Christians. —Fr. Lio
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