In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us of the suddenness of His coming: “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” Just as in the days of Noah, people were caught unaware, so too we are urged to live with vigilance and readiness. Advent is not simply a season of waiting—it is a call to prepare our hearts, to live faithfully each day, and to welcome Christ not only at Christmas but at every moment of our lives.

The Lord’s words challenge us to examine how we spend our time. Are we distracted by the ordinary routines of life, and are we attentive to God’s presence breaking into our daily story? To “stay awake” means to cultivate prayer, repentance, and charity, so that when Christ comes, He finds us ready and joyful.

Our parish offers special opportunities this week to live out this Gospel call:
· First Friday (December 5): Adoration begins at 11:00 a.m., followed by a Healing Mass and lunch. This is a beautiful way to encounter Christ’s mercy and strength.
· First Saturday (December 6): Adoration and Rosary at 7:30 a.m., followed by Mass. Confessions will be available from 8:30–10:30 a.m. as we prepare our hearts for Christmas.

Let us embrace these moments of prayer and reconciliation as concrete steps to “stay awake” and welcome the Lord. May this Advent be a season of hope, watchfulness, and renewed love for Christ who comes to dwell among us. We start with Cycle A [in the Lectionary] this week for the new year of the Church.

God Bless you all,

Fr. Charley