Philippians 4:4-5 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

The third Sunday of Advent we are invited to reflect on the joy we have access to because of our faith in Jesus. One of the defining characteristics of Christ-followers is their joyful demeanor. Let’s not allow the struggles of this year steal from the great joy we have because of Jesus.

Over this Advent, would you pray that the joy of the Lord would be evident in your heart and home? May God’s spirit transform the days leading up to Christmas into a time of holy anticipation; preparing our hearts, as we joyfully await the chance to celebrate the arrival of our king.

The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming.” Advent in the 4th and 5th century was a time of preparation for the baptism of new Christians. Christians would spend 40 days in prayer and fasting to prepare for the celebration that accompanied the baptism of new believers.

Over time, Advent was connected to the coming of Christ. Originally, Christians used this term to reference Christ’s second coming, but by the Middle Ages, Advent was connected to Christ’s first coming that we celebrate at Christmas.  Today, we celebrate Advent over the four weeks leading up to Christmas each year. 

The Advent season is an invitation to take your mind off the stresses of the year. We can take our focus off of the crazy hustle of the season and the sadness that could accompany the different ways some of us may be observing the holiday season this year. Even when things feel chaotic we can find peace in Jesus. Advent is a chance to focus our thoughts on the gift God has given us in His son Jesus who stepped down from heaven and took the form of a man so that we might believe.

The tradition for the Third Sunday of Advent includes lighting a pink candle that is a symbol of joy. This Third Sunday of Advent we read, pray, and reflect on the joy that God’s plan gives us (foretold by the prophets and fulfilled by the life and death of Christ), and we meditate on the promise of Christ’s coming glory-filled return.

The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for rejoice, and this Sunday is the time for us to rejoice because Jesus came and died so that we may live forever with him!

(source:  www.crosswalk.com)

All of you are invited to the Pious Union in Grass Lake this Sunday evening at 6pm for the 3rd Annual Living Nativity.  This is free and open to the public.  It is an outdoor event so dress for the weather and bring a lawn chair if you wish to sit.  The show lasts for less than thirty minutes.  A free will offering is taken up and refreshments follow.  This is a great way to get your kids into the Christmas spirit.  

Please take six minutes to watch the video below.  It is a special Christmas message that was just released today with a little help from students at all four Catholic high schools across the Diocese.  I have seen it twice and in both cases people were moved to tears by this heartfelt message that combines our love of ‘all things Christmas’ with the Real Presence of Jesus’ body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist.  Share it with others.  

You will recognize some young people from Queens and Lumen Christi in the video.  Good job guys!  

We use this time each year to prepare for the coming of Christmas.  Advent reminds us to prepare for the coming  of the Christ!  You can do that by making a Confession and attending one of our regional seasonal penance services.  Here is the schedule of services.  In each place multiple priests will be present:

ST MARY:  Saturday 12/16, 10am 

ST CATHERINE:  Monday 12/18, 6pm

QUEENS:  Tuesday 12/19, 7pm

ST JOHN:  Wednesday 12/20, 7pm

Please take advantage of one of these opportunities to be cleansed of fault and failing before the coming of Jesus.  If you’re having trouble working up the courage to go, or can’t remember the last time you did, use the following examination of conscience to see whether or not you might benefit from a good soul cleanse.  This guide includes a great deal of helpful information about the sacrament of God’s Mercy.

Advent 2024 is one of the shortest Advents you will ever experience.  This is because the 4th Sunday of Advent IS Christmas Eve!  Yes, the Church expects us to attend Mass for BOTH the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas.  Being that I am the lone ranger at Queens, I need to streamline the number of Masses that will occur between the morning of the 24th and the afternoon of the 25th.  With that in mind, Queens will NOT have a regular Mass schedule for the 4th Sunday of Advent.  Here is what will be offered:

DECEMBER 23 – 25 QUEENS MASS SCHEDULE:

8am Daily Mass

4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

SATURDAY DECEMBER 23:  5PM MASS

SUNDAY DECEMBER 24:  9AM AND 11AM ONLY

CHRISTMAS 

SUNDAY DECEMBER 24:

4PM CHILDREN’S MASS (Livestreamed)

4:15PM OVERFLOW MASS IN THE GYM

6:30PM MASS

MONDAY DECEMBER 25

MIDNIGHT MASS (Livestreamed)

9:00AM

11:00AM

The Boy Scouts have graciously agreed to help with parking in the lot on Christmas Eve.  It will be stadium parking to allow as many cars onto the property as possible.  

The Community Wide Christmas Dinner celebrates its 25th year in 2023.  There is a great article about these dinners in the December issue of Faith Magazine.  

Be a part of it!  Time is running out to sign up.

Help is needed December 23, 24, 25 and 26.  If you’re not available Christmas Eve or Christmas Day you can help with the set up before or clean up the day after.  

Christmas is the season of giving, and it especially blesses the Lord and others when we can make a merrier Christmas for those who are struggling.  This dinner brings together those who have no one to celebrate with and those who lack the resources to celebrate with food and gifts. 

Use the link below to fill a shift or two.  If using the Sign Up Genius is daunting to you, volunteer by calling 517.414.4438. 

Guests for the dinner can make your reservation by calling 517.581.1681.  Transportation is available upon request.   

You can donate to Queens online, right up until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 31st and have it applied to the 2023 tax year.

Thank you to all those who support Queens Church and School with your financial stewardship.  Tax statements for 2023 will be delivered in January of 2024.

Use the convenient link below for online giving:  

Tickets will be on sale after all Masses this weekend for  The Great 50/50 Raffle to benefit Jackson Catholic Schools.  Cash, check, credit and debit card accepted.  Each ticket is $100 and enrolls you in 11 drawings in 2024.  There are two winners per month who each stand to walk away with more than $2,000!  Tickets will be available after all weekend Masses at Queens until the 1st drawing.  You can get them during the week from any local parish or Catholic school office. 

These make great stocking stuffers or a gift to send with a card to someone who lives far away.  

You can’t win if you don’t play!   

Monday 3am.  We need someone willing to sacrifice some sleep every week and sign up to cover this.  Nothing we give up for God will ever come close to what we’ve been given by God!  Contact the parish office if you can fill this gap.  

‘PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM’ (Ps. 122:6).

Fr. Tim MacDonald

Pastor

Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church

606 S. Wisner St.  Jackson, Michigan 49203

(517) 783-2748  www.queenschurch.com