Weekend Update
1st Sunday of Advent
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our Helping Hands
Food Pantry
is in need of:
Rice,
Beans,
Cake Icing,
Pancake Mix,
Jelly,
and a great need of Cereal.
From Ryan & Amanda Ayala in our Religious Education Office
Over the past few weeks, our children in our Faith Formation Program have been learning about the Liturgical Calendar as we prepared to enter the beautiful season of Advent. This circular calendar shows how the Church measures time through the seasons of the year and helps us see where we are in our journey with Jesus.
Now that we are in the season of Advent, the children understand that this is a time of joyful waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s Birth at Christmas. They have noticed that the green of Ordinary Time has changed to purple, the color that reminds us to slow down, pray, and ready our hearts for Jesus.
The children also learned the meaning of the liturgical colors throughout the Church year—purple for the seasons of preparation (Advent and Lent), white for celebration (Christmas and Easter), red for Pentecost, and green for Ordinary Time, when we grow in our knowledge and love of Jesus. They have begun to recognize the names and colors of the vestments worn by our priests and understand why we will see purple throughout these Advent weeks as we prepare together for the joy of Christmas.
Once again, we are grateful to our priests and catechists for their faithful guidance in teaching and forming the hearts and minds of our children in the beauty of our Catholic faith.
This week’s
Gospel Reflection
by Dcn. Mark Lishko
by Dcn. Mark Lishko
It’s Not About the Eggnog
The First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year and the season of preparation for the coming of Christ. It is a time of hope, anticipation, and invitation. We are challenged to prepare and ready ourselves.
There are two common messages we will hear until Christmas.
First message: Santa Claus is coming to town. Translation: Buy! Buy! Buy!
Second message: Joy to the World, the Lord is coming. Translation: Time is short, make it count!
The world wants us to be distracted by decorating, spending and the illusion that everything is mistletoe and holly.
The Gospel slaps us in the face and says; Wake up! Be on your guard! For you do not know when the Lord will come.
Sounds like scary stuff.
We never know if this will be our last Christmas. We are being asked to wake up, get out of the worldly stupor, and rise-up from our spiritual sleepiness, petty indulgences and routines. Wake up!
We don’t like to wait, so we decorate months in advance. We put off spiritual work because it requires a sobering look at ourselves. We hide behind tinsel and libations until
God finally gets our attention. God is coming to us, and we must be prepared. At Christmas He should find us ready to welcome Him. We must make the necessary course adjustments. Advent is a gift to do just that. Pray, “Lord make me know your ways, teach me your paths. Make me walk in your truth and teach me.” (Ps 24)
Are you being called by God to assist other adults in their faith formation? Your help is needed! Sponsors are needed to support several adults, (both men and women), in our “Becoming Catholic -OCIA” program. A sponsor is an individual that will serve as a “godparent” and help that adult along their faith journey, now and in the future. You must have received the Sacraments of Initiation…Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion and are an active, practicing Catholic.
Serving as a sponsor and helping a candidate learn more about our Catholic faith is an essential part of their formation and even your own. We are always learning about God’s mercy, grace and love for us! You would attend our weekly classes with your candidate, a relationship that can be nurtured over time and be a wonderful blessing for you both. OCIA meets on most Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm with the sacraments being received at the Easter Vigil on April 4.
For more information about this beautiful opportunity, please call Kathy at 480-838-7474 Ext. 114. Please don’t delay, pray about it today!
Perhaps God is calling you!
REMINDER to those who brought in pictures of their loved ones last month for our All Souls Day display.
Please, pick up the photos of your loved ones from the parish office.
Giving Tree
Please take a moment to select an ornament from the Giving Tree located in the narthex of the church. We ask that you bring your unwrapped gifts to either the office during regular office hours or to the narthex of the church at any of our masses. Kindly return toys and gifts by Sunday, December 14th. Your gifts will sponsor many families in need from local organizations.
Blanket Drive
As the weather grows colder, we are collecting new and gently used blankets to help our brothers and sisters in need. Please bring any donations to the collection bins in the Narthex. Together, let’s share Christ’s warmth and love with those currently experiencing homelessness.
How children enter poster contest:
Pick up an entry form at the parish office.
Winners: $50 Visa gift card winners will be announced at Las Posadas on Dec. 20.
Poinsettia donations can be made for living or deceased individuals or even a special intention that you would like remembered during the Christmas season.
click QR code to reserve your seat at The St. Nicholas Tea
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
We are seeking additional adorers to help sustain our parish’s Adoration schedule. If your heart has been nudging you toward a deeper closeness with the Lord, this may be His invitation. Even a single quiet hour in His presence can bring peace, healing, and strength to the soul. If you feel called to spend time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament—whether weekly, monthly, or as a substitute—please consider joining our Adoration family. Your ‘yes’ is a gift not only to you, but to our whole parish community. If you would like more information—please contact the parish office or visit one of the websites listed below.
Las Posadas 6:00pm December 20th
following the Saturday 4:30pm Mass
From the courtyard, parishioners join in the Hispanic tradition, following Joseph and Mary in a neighborhood procession seeking shelter for the birth of Christ.
Once finding an inn, a prayer of welcome is said in the garden before entering Hanley Hall. Greeted at the doors with excitement, a potluck celebration of festive family fun takes place.
Those unable to make the 1.1 mile neighborhood procession, may prayerfully reflect in the Church, then join us in the Garden at 6:25pm for a blessing before the potluck. Come, join in this vibrant tradition and bring a potluck dish to share.
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Under the direction of Bishop Dolan, Holy Spirit Parish is on a journey to know, love and serve Christ in our parish community. Together we must embrace Christ's vision for missionary discipleship so our parish can thrive and be a place to grow together in faith.
Your participation in the Disciple Maker Index survey, (the Diocese of Phoenix/ Catholic Leadership Institute initiative), is warmly welcomed.
The survey provides you the opportunity to reflect on your spiritual growth, attitudes beliefs, relationship and satisfaction with Holy Spirit parish.
Answering all questions, the survey takes between 10-15 minutes to complete. Be assured that your responses are kept confidential.
