Del Padre Woods La Epifanía del Señor, que celebramos hoy, es una fiesta más antigua que la Navidad.

As we continue in this beautiful Christmas Season celebrating God’s Son becoming flesh by His Birth in Bethlehem and as we prepare to begin a new calendar year, perhaps this is a good time to reflect on the life of Saint Peter’s Parish. 

The Epiphany of the Lord, which we celebrate today, is a feast older than Christmas. In many countries, this day (not Christmas) is the day for gift-giving in honor of the gifts received by the Christ Child. Why is this ancient feast so important in the life of the Church when most of society has already put Christmas behind them?

Desafortunadamente, no es raro escuchar a la gente pronunciar esta triste frase: “Tal vez, simplemente no tengamos Navidad este año”.

This last day of the calendar year is the Feast of the Holy Family. On the first of January the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Perhaps a reflection during this Christmas Season on “time” is appropriate. The poem and commentary by Wikipedia.

Sunday, December 24, Fourth Sunday of Advent 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mazie Middleton 8:00 a.m. The Stewart family 10:00 a.m. Parishioners of St. Peter’s 12:00 noon Patricia Youmans 1:30 p.m. Intentions of the Celebrant No 6:00 p.m. Mass Christmas Eve 4:00

Unfortunately it is not uncommon to hear people utter this dismal phrase: “Maybe we just won’t have Christmas this year.”

En varios momentos de la historia, La temporada de Adviento tomó un carácter más penitencial. Aunque no estaba tan callado como la Cuaresma, hubo más regulaciones de ayuno y la adopción de vestimentas moradas para las Misas de Adviento.

Sunday, December 17, Third Sunday of Advent No GIFT sessions Catechist in-service – 11:00 a.m. in school

At various times in history, the Season of Advent took on a more penitential character. While not quiet like Lent, there were more fasting regulations and the adoption of purple vestments for Advent Masses.

Sunday, December 17, Third Sunday of Advent 4:00 p.m. Vigil Della and Lloyd Janssen 8:00 a.m. Special Intention 10:00 a.m. Parishioners of St. Peter’s 12:00 noon Virgil Ball 1:30 p.m. Intentions of the Celebrant 6:00 p.m. Elizabeth Ann Raymond

The Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass on Saturday evening, 23rd of December at 4 p.m. Masses on Sunday morning, 24th of December at 8 and 10 a.m., Noon, and 1:30 p.m. (in Spanish)

Every Saturday afternoon from 3 to 3:45 p.m. in Church Tuesday, 19th of December from 11-Noon and from 7 to 8 p.m. in Church Wednesday, 20th of December from 7 to 7:30 in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Fields Please note: Confessions will not be heard in the Chapel on Wednesday, 27th of December.

Es una pena que la gente malinterprete el dogma de la Inmaculada Concepción. Seamos claros: la Inmaculada Concepción es la creencia católica de que la Virgen María fue concebida sin pecado original en el vientre de su madre, Santa Ana.

You are invited to honor our mother Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 10. Come and share with the Hispanic Community of Saint Peter’s Church a special celebration: 1:15 p.m. Procession from Sank Auditorium to church, Mass with Mariachis, and Community Fellowship (potluck) after Mass.

Sunday, December 10, Second Sunday of Advent 4:00 p.m. Vigil Olivia and Gene Swan 8:00 a.m. Intentions of Marty Cooper 10:00 a.m. Parishioners of St. Peter’s 12:00 noon Virgil Ball 1:30 p.m. Intentions of the Celebrant 6:00 p.m. Scott Suder

El Adviento 2016 fue lo más largo que pudo haber sido: 4 semanas enteras desde que cayó la Navidad el domingo del año pasado. Este año, el Adviento es lo más corto posible desde la víspera de Navidad, que cae más tarde en el día del Cuarto Domingo de Adviento.

Friday, December 8, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holyday of obligation. Masses for the Feast Day are as follows: Thursday, December 7th – Mass at 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 8th – Masses at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m.

It’s a shame that people misunderstand the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Let’s be clear: the Immaculate Conception is the Catholic belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin in the womb of her mother, Saint Ann. The Immaculate Conception has nothing to do with the conception of the Child Jesus or the visit of an angel.

Destination Imagination (DI) team, the Lightning Bolts, are in need of your support. We are asking for donations to make care packages for the women at Angels Watch Women’s Shelter, in Hughesville, MD.