Father Hathaway’s Column — December 10, 2023

DECEMBER 10: SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

On this Second Sunday in Advent, our Gospel reading from Saint Mark tells us that John the Baptist “appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Advent is meant to be a penitential season (as indicated by the violet, penitential vestments worn by the priests) as we take stock of our lives and prepare to worthily celebrate the birth of Christ.

Now is a good time to take advantage of the Sacrament of Penance and straighten our haloes a bit! In the confessional, we truly and personally repent, encountering Christ’s mercy, love and healing. Basilica confession times between now and Christmas will be our regular times: 12:40 p.m., Monday through Friday (following 12:10 p.m. Mass); Wednesday, 7 to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 5 p.m.

In addition, on Friday, December 22, confessions will be available beginning at 7 p.m.

BAMBINELLI SUNDAY

Next Sunday, December 17, the Third Sunday of Advent, is Gaudete Sunday — more on that celebration in my column next week. It’s also Bambinelli Sunday, instituted by Saint John Paul II for the children of Rome to bring the Baby Jesus (Bambinelli) from their nativity sets to Saint Peter’s Square for a papal blessing. Following that example, we will bless the Baby Jesus figures from your nativity sets at the 5 p.m. Vigil Mass on December 16, and our regular Sunday Masses on December 17 at 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

WHAT A BLESSED 40 HOURS!

Thank you to all who prayerfully participated in our annual 40 Hours Devotion, December 6-8. I am confident those hours of quiet time in the presence of our Eucharistic Lord brought you blessings and peace and, through you, to our entire parish.

You are always welcome to visit the Basilica for prayer and reflection as our Lord is exposed on the altar for adoration each weekday, Monday through Friday, from 7 to 8 a.m.; on Wednesdays, from 12:40 p.m. (after the 12:10 p.m. Mass) through 8:30 p.m.; and each First Friday of the month, from 9 p.m. on Friday until 8:20 a.m. on Saturday. Even when the Blessed Sacrament is not exposed on the altar, our Lord is present in the tabernacle. You can spend time with Him whenever the Basilica is open, generally 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Monday through Friday; 7:30 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. on Saturday; and 6 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.

TREMENDOUS THANKSGIVING DAY FOOD COLLECTION

Our Thanksgiving Day 2023 offertory collection totaled 955 pounds of food! Many thanks to our Knights of Columbus (especially Chris Zettler, Larry Clark and Damon Muehling) and their helpers who got the food to the Saint Lucy warehouse. I am always impressed and humbled by the continued generosity of the people of this wonderful parish. Thank you!