The Family Foundation School Catholic Community Bulletin
Pauca Verba (a few words)
Advent begins, the end of this month, Sunday – November 30. Four weeks of getting ready for the Feast of Christ’s Birth. The Little Jesus faces steep competition: shopping, wrapping, parties, music, food, decorations put up too early. We spend millions of dollars to celebrate the feast of the One who said, “Own nothing.” Go figure! Rather, Advent can be a time of deep prayer – of inner watching – of inner preparation. Fast first – then feast! Makes sense, no?
But this year, I propose to do something that is quite old – but for us – brand new. On the Saturdays of Advent (December 6, 13, 20) we will celebrate the Rorate Mass (Raw-rot-tay) at dawn. Rorate comes from the first Latin words of the Mass: Rorate Coeli (Chay-lee) “drop down dew from heaven.” Jesus is the dew dropped down into an arid world. This is an ancient Mass that is celebrated only on the Saturdays of Advent at dawn. The Mass is even celebrated by candlelight – each of us (we volunteer for this Mass) comes to the chapel walking with a candle.
What imagery for us! – waking up in the darkness and coming to the light! (Get it?) Leaving our slumber to worship God. Maybe making an amends, getting up before dawn to pray the Mass – at the hour when in our previous lives we would have been stumbling home after a bad night! WOW! Sacrificing some sleep, simply for the love of God – to walk by candlelight. A candle gives only enough light to walk one step at a time! Make a connection? Start to think about it.
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We will have Mass on Thanksgiving Morning in our chapel at 9:00 A.M. Not an isolated day, but rather a day that symbolizes and refreshes the Christian lifestyle of GRATITUDE!
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We will offer Mass in our chapel here on Christmas Eve at 10 P.M. – welcoming the Birth of Jesus, the Savior. Mass at night is very beautiful – when the world seems to be asleep. The darkness invites deep prayer. In the darkness, we welcome Jesus into the world – Jesus, who calls himself, “The Light of the World.” Don’t we need light?
Blessed John XXIII (Pope) said: “There is something that calls us unrelentingly – climb higher!” Climb higher! Climb higher to sobriety! Climb higher to a life lived in the service of God! Climb higher to a way of life modeled on that of Jesus Christ! Climb higher putting away worldly ways to embrace God’s ways. Climb higher to a life of forgiveness – leaving behind a lifestyle of bitterness and hate. Climb higher to the work of bringing peace to this world.
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Do you actively share the joy of other people around here? Or do you grouse, resent, complain and silently object? God is very active here – doing wonderful things in the lives of people. Share their joy and the joy of God’s presence.
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Do you feel all at odds with things? Do you feel as if your life is coming apart? GIVE an hour of Adoration on Sunday. Over 50 students here take an hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament each Sunday some time between 10:30 in the morning and 5:30 in the evening. Father Stephen has a great book on the Blessed Sacrament (Jesus in the Eucharist) that will help you to know what it’s all about. Ask for it. Orrrrrr……..
If you’ve been coming to Adoration and feel agitated, distracted, sleepy. You might read this little book too. Don’t waste the hour dozing off and looking out the window. You’ve come to spend an hour with Christ who is with us COMPLETELY and UTTERLY hidden in the form of bread. Don’t waste time. Come for silence, prayer, listening. Open your bible (especially the New Testament) and read in front of the Sacrament! Kneel next to a student who seems to get it. Talk to them and ask them what they’re doing.
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Prayer of Pope Benedict XVI to Our Lady
Mary, you remain in the midst of the disciples as their Mother,
as the Mother of hope.
Holy Mary, Mother of God and our Mother,
teach us to believe, to hope, to love with you.
Show us the way to God’s Kingdom!
Star of the Sea, shine upon us and guide us on our way!
