“Prepare the way of the Lord…”

We hear about John the Baptist in the Gospel today – sent to prepare the way. John’s message attracted a large number of people, yet all the time, John did not claim to be anyone other than “a herald to prepare the way.”

He knew who he was and why he was sent by God. John stands out as a man of integrity because even though he had a large following, this didn’t change his purpose, or his role, or his mission. There is much to be learned from this man who “was dressed in camel’s hair… and fed on locusts and wild honey.”

Next Sunday, December 17 at 3:00 PM,  is our annual “Carols with the Choir” concert. This program of choral music, solos, and sing along selections has become a highlight of the Advent Season at St. Francis. Come, relax, and let the music prepare you for the celebration of Christmas.

Just recently I had to cancel the March 2018 Assisi/Rome pilgrimage because there were not enough participants registered for it. This was going to be a smaller pilgrimage, but we did not even reach the minimum number of people necessary to schedule it. Perhaps another time. Many ask: when and where is our next pilgrimage? One option is a pilgrimage to several capital cities
in Eastern Europe: Warsaw, Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. I will be talking with our travel company and will announce our next pilgrimage soon.

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.