November 26, 2025

Dear Friends in Christ,

Advent is a season to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord. As we prepare to recall his birth in time, we prepare our hearts for that unknown time when he will come again in glory. So, we wait and watch for him with eager longing and joyful expectation. But we need to be ready. The time-honored spiritual practices of prayer, reconciliation, and giving to those in need, can help make room in our hearts when he comes:

RECONCILIATION – Opportunities for confession

One of the best ways to prepare our hearts for Christmas is to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. In this sacrament God’s forgiveness heals our sins and helps us begin anew. We will have wonderful confessors, all of whom will be eager to help especially those who haven’t been to confession for a long while.

Friday, December 12, 6- 8 PM Adoration and         Confession with 1 confessor at St Anthony

Wednesday, December 17 –

               7 PM at St Jude with 6 confessors

Thursday, December 18-

               7 PM at Holy Innocents with 3 confessors

ALMSGIVING –THE GIVING TREES and GIVING GARLANDS

The GIVING TREE AND GIVING garlands at all three churches helps provide a joyful Christmas for so many in need.  Gift tags are available on the trees and garlands. You can really make a difference in a person’s life by taking a tag. The new unwrapped gifts or gift cards must be returned by the due date to get delivered. If you have any questions about the programs or how you can volunteer to help here are the contacts:

St. Anthony and Holy Innocents:

           Janice Asmus 425-788-1400 or sign up at our website.

St Jude: Gary and Susan Pilawski at 283-9094.

PRAYER

Advent is wonderful time to renew the habit of daily Mass. Going to daily Mass helps keep before our eyes the meaning of life and reminds us to begin each day with gratitude to God. 

In addition, we have wonderful opportunities for adoration in our parish family. As Christmas approaches, do we ponder what “gift” can we present to Jesus on His birthday? “Your present” could be “your presence,” every week during Advent, in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Consider: Although we may be an excellent example of Martha’s service and hospitality this Christmas Season, but we may have a greater need to sit at our Master’s feet, like Mary, and listen to Him speak to our hearts. If we allow Him, the Lord can transform by his presence to be more like Him. What better way to spend this Advent “giving ourselves” to the Lord. A great present indeed. 

  St. Jude Adoration- Friday 9:30AM – 9PM

  Holy Innocents Adoration Friday 6PM -- 8PM

  St Anthony Adoration and Rosary- Tuesday 6 PM

STEWARDSHIP

We still need your help with stewardship. It is really important that we have every family’s participation. We cannot do what we need to do for the Lord without everybody’s help. Please remember to turn in your stewardship commitment cards if you have not done so already. Many thanks to all who have already made your stewardship pledge. We are so grateful for your commitment to our parish!

HOLY DAY MONDAY, DECEMBER 8

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.

Monday, December 8th is a Holy Day, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the patronal feast of the Church in the United States.  Let us be sure to gather and ask the Blessed Mother’s intercession on our country that we may effectively share the Gospel and spread the faith in our nation. This a Holy Day of Obligation.  Please join us in celebrating the feast

HOLY DAY MASSES for the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

St. Anthony: Noon

Holy Innocents: 9 AM and 7 PM

St. Jude: 9 AM and 7 PM

 Holy Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us.

From Pope Benedict  on Advent….

In Advent, the liturgy frequently repeats and assures us, …that God “comes”: he comes to be with us in every situation of ours, he comes to dwell among us, to live with us and within us; he comes to fill the gaps that divide and separate us; he comes to reconcile us with him and with one another. He comes into human history to knock at the door of every man and every woman of good will, to bring to individuals, families and peoples the gifts of brotherhood, harmony and peace.

This is why Advent is par excellence the season of hope in which believers in Christ are invited to remain in watchful and active waiting, nourished by prayer and by the effective commitment to love. POPE BENEDICT XIV

May this Advent be a time of great renewal for us. May we watch and wait with joyful expectation ‘til he comes.

Fr. Johnson