Online Bulletin

The Coming of the Lord is at Hand
12-15-2019We Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 44, No. 3Guadete Sunday invites us to rejoice, for the Lord is near. Today's readings convey that joy. Isaiah, writing when the Chosen People were returning from exile, is positively exuberant in his description of the rebirth of the land and its people. The earth blooms, the blind see, the deaf hear, and all will share the everlasting joy. James, writing to his fellow Christians, encourages them while they anticipate the Second Coming. They were positive it would happen soon. James counseled them to look to prophet such as Isaiah as an example of patience during times of keen expectation. In the Gospel, Jesus sends his disciples to tell John the Baptist that the things Isaiah prophesied are happening all around them. Today we joyfully anticipate celebrating Jesus' birth in ten days, while hoping for a place in the kingdom of heaven. But we are even more fortunate, for Jesus does not just come as a baby at Christmas or a judge at the end of time. Right here and now we can say, "The coming of the Lord is at hand" (James 5:8). Jesus transforms our lives today, giving us a foretaste of the kingdom of heaven.
What can you do to bring Jesus into your life and the lives of those around you?
La Venida del Señor
El domingo de Guadete nos invita a alegrarnos, porque el Señor está cerca. Las lecturas de hoy transmiten esa alegría. Isaías, escribe sobre el pueblo elegido que regresaba del exilio, es positivamente exuberante en su descripción del renacimiento de la tierra y su gente. La tierra florece, los ciegos ven, los sordos oyen, y todos compartirán la alegría eterna. Santiago, les escribe a sus compañeros cristianos, los alienta mientras anticipan la Segunda Venida. Estaban seguros de que sucedería pronto. Santiago les aconsejó que miraran a un profeta como Isaías como un ejemplo de paciencia en tiempos de gran expectativa. En el Evangelio, Jesús envía a sus discípulos a decirle a Juan el Bautista que las cosas que Isaías profetizó están sucediendo a su alrededor. Hoy anticipamos con alegría celebrar el nacimiento de Jesús en diez días, mientras esperamos un lugar en el reino de los cielos. Pero somos aún más afortunados, porque Jesús no solo viene como un bebé en Navidad o un juez al final de los tiempos. Aquí y ahora podemos decir: "La venida del Señor está cerca" (Santiago 5:8). Jesús transforma nuestras vidas hoy, dándonos un anticipo del reino de los cielos.
¿Qué puedes hacer para traer a Jesús a tu vida y a la de quienes te rodean?
Announcements and Events

Christmas Toy Sale
Dec 15, 2019 - Dec 16, 2019
Items may be dropped off until Dec 14 at our storage location at St. Francis.
For more information, contact Nilka Meléndez al 407-880-4673, ext. 241.

Dawn Masses
Dec 16, 2019 - Dec 24, 2019: 5:00am
For 8 days we will be celebrating special Masses as we await the arrival of the Christ Child. We invite you to come with your family to enjoy this lovely tradition in the early morning, the ‘Aguinaldo Masses’. (In Spanish)
Durante 8 días estaremos celebrando con Eucaristías el tiempo que nos queda para la llegada del Niño Dios. Le invitamos a venir en familia a disfrutar de la mejor tradición de la madrugada, las Misas de Aguinaldo.

VBS 2020 Meeting
Dec 16, 2019: 6:00pm - 7:45pm
You are invited to be part of the Vacation Bible School 2020 Leadership Team!
Estás invitado a formar parte del equipo de líderes de este Campamento de Biblia.

Christmas Posadas/Posada Navideña
Dec 16, 2019: 7:00pm
We invite you to celebrate the "Mass of sending" to start off the Christmas Posadas of 2019.
Te invitamos a celebrar la Santa Misa de envío con motivo de apertura a las Posadas Navideñas del 2019.

Evening Prayer with Reconciliation
Dec 18, 2019: 6:30pm
Several priests will be available to hear confessions in English and Spanish.
Varios sacerdotes estarán disponibles para escuchar confeciones en ingles y español.

Dollhouse Raffle/Rifa de la Casa de Muñecas
Dec 21, 2019 - Dec 22, 2019
Tickets will be available after Masses on weekend of Dec 21/22. Tickets will also be available at the Parish Office from Dec 10-20. Drawing of the winning ticket will be on Mon, Dec 23.

Christmas Mass Schedule
Dec 24, 2019 - Dec 25, 2019
Christmas Eve/Nochebuena: 4:00pm Children’s Mass (English), 6:00pm (English), 8:00pm (Español)
Christmas Day/Día de Navidad: 12:00am Midnight (English), 10:30am (English), 12:30pm (Español)

Wed, Jan 1 - the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - is a Holy Day of Obligation
Dec 31, 2019 - Jan 1, 2020
Mass times:
Tue, Dec 31: 6:30pm (English), 8:00pm (Español)
Wed, Jan 1: 10:30am (English), 12:30pm (Español)

Journey of Faith for Adults
Jan 5, 2020 - Jan 6, 2020
If you are curious about Catholicism, want to learn more about your Catholic faith, or wish to prepare for sacraments, please consider "Journey of Faith" for Adults.

Little Rock Scripture Study: Isaiah
Jan 9, 2020: 7:00pm
Thursdays at 7:00pm in Faith Formation Room #4 beginning Thu, Jan 9