The Second Sunday of Advent
This week in Advent we reflect on peace. As we ascend God's Holy Mountain, Isaiah continues to describe what life will be like atop the mountain. There we will find universal peace. All creatures will dwell together and justice will prevail. Isaiah states that there will be no harm or ruin and knowledge of the Lord will permeate throughout all.
This peace is possible now, not only at the top of the mountain. We can work for and find peace in our Churches of the Home and beyond. Where do you find peace? What brings you peace? We all need two kinds of peace in our lives. We need inner peace, but we also need peace with others.
Inner peace begins with a relationship with God, and it continues as we focus on his strength and trust him to fill us. Advent is the perfect time to grow that inner peace as we prepare for an increase of the Lord's presence in our hearts and lives.
Peace with others begins as we understand that God has called us to be peacemakers in our world. Is there somewhere in your own world where you can be a peacemaker this Christmas? Is there an invitation that needs to be extended to smooth over a fractured family relationship? Is there an apology to be made or a silence to be broken that has stood as a barrier for too long? Don’t miss the blessing God promises in your life as you respond to his call to be a peacemaker in your own Church of the Home and communities. We can help bring peace to our world one heart at a time.
To make the most of this advent week, pray the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
And where there is sadness, only joy.
Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console.
To be understood as to understand.
To be loved as to love with all my heart.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
This week, try to find your peaceful place or what brings you peace so that you may grow closer to the Lord and God's dream for us. Here are some ideas:
Go on a walk and don’t put in headphones. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Look at the leaves on the ground, try and spot birds or squirrels, and wave to those you pass. Talk to God in the silence of your walk. See where He guides your path, who He may put there, and what He has to say to you.
Turn off all electronic devices for one hour each day this week.
Visit an adoration chapel. Either your regular spot or a new chapel and ask the Lord where He wants to bring peace into your life.
Create something to gift to someone this Advent. If you have a particular skill, use it to glorify God and pray for the recipient. Try and bring your gift to a nursing home, shelter, or other places where more peace is needed.
Memorize the Beatitude, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matt 5:9) and reflect on this: What is the Lord calling me to do to bring more peace into my life?
Visit Resurrection's Advent page to find resources to help your Church of the Home grow this Advent. New resources will be added weekly.
Immaculate Conception
On Thursday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This day we commemorate the conception of the Virgin Mary in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne. It is not to be confused with the Annunciation of the Lord — the celebration of the appearance of the angel Gabriel to Mary and her willingness to accept the conception of Jesus Christ in her womb.
"No sin would touch her, so that she would be afitting and worthy vessel of the Son of God. The Immaculate Conception does not refer to the virginal conception and the birth of Christ, but rather to Mary's being conceived without inheriting Original Sin." (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, 142-143)
On This Day in History...
Today, December 3rd, is the feast day of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of the Diocese of Green Bay.
Have you ever wondered why St. Francis Xavier is our patron saint or why the diocesan cathedral is named after him?
On December 3, 1669, a Jesuit missionary named Father Claude-Jean Allouez (maybe you've heard of him) celebrated the first Mass in the area.
Jo in us for Mass this weekend in person at 4:00 PM on Saturday, 8:30 or 10:30 AM on Sunday, on www.gbres.org/live, our YouTube channel, and our Facebook page.
READINGS FOR THIS WEEKEND’S MASSES
VIRTUALLY SUNDAY REFLECTION
On Christmas Eve in 1914, a remarkable thing happened in the midst of the First World War. Soldiers laid down their arms and gathered together in No Man's Land. A Christmas truce between enemies occurred. The men of the trenches proved peace and unity are possible, just as Isaiah had envisioned. Join Tony as he reflects on this weekend's scripture readings.
This Weekend's Bulletin
(click to read)
Families
Recent Losses in Our Parish Family
December Town Hall
This past Wednesday, Fr. Paul Demuth joined the monthly Town Hall series to discuss What Scripture Says About Mental Health.
During the Town Hall, Fr. Tom asked the question, "What aspects of the Catholic faith are helpful for your mental health?" Please share with Resurrection how you would respond.
Mental Health Resources:
https://ncpd.org/disability-ministry/mental-illness National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities – Mental Health Council resource pages for Catholic Families, Individuals, and Parishes
https://adrcofbrowncounty.org/ Aging and Disability Resource Center of Brown County local resources & referrals
https://www.thegatheringplaceinc.org/ The Gathering Place in downtown Green Bay drop in center – peer to peer connections
https://namibrowncounty.org/ National Alliance on Mental Illness Brown County chapter – resource pages
https://bccfsp.org/ Brown County Coalition for Suicide Awareness resource pages
Revealed Podcast
Episode 6 is Now Available!
UWGB Women's Basketball Coach Kevin Borseth joins Katie and Tony in talking about his career in basketball and where God reveals the sacred in his professional and personal life.
Announcements
Ruby and Res
Ruby is starting a new holiday season tradition:
Optional: Pie
Required: your name written in whipped cream
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