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… Experiencing racism is not limited to African or Native Americans. Many different groups have encountered “in varying degrees the evil of discrimination, racial prejudice, and oppression that endangers the very fabric of American society.”

… We would be remiss not to highlight the experience of Hispanics in our country. Since the Mexican-American War, Hispanics from various countries have experienced discrimination in housing, employment, healthcare, and education. Hispanics have been referred to by countless derogatory names, have encountered negative assumptions made about them because of their ethnicity, have suffered discrimination in applying for college, for housing, and in registering to vote…

Today, many Hispanics are often assumed to be in this country illegally. These attitudes of cultural superiority, indifference and racism need to be confronted; they are unworthy of any follower of Christ. After all, a large part of our nation consists of immigrants and their descendants.

(to be continued)

The second reading for this Third Sunday of Advent says: “Be patient, brothers and sisters.” If this isn’t enough, it is repeated again. Then the example of the farmer is given, showing how he has to be patient as his crops grow. This doesn’t happen overnight. Our own maturing in the Lord doesn’t take place overnight either. Answers to our prayers don’t happen overnight either, at least most of the time. In today’s society, people are more impatient than ever. I hear it all the time in the confessional. We can get fast food, fast service through such companies as Amazon, quick relief by taking certain pills and yet there is so much
of life that takes time: becoming mature, being pregnant, getting job experience, getting an education. When life moves so fast, we miss out on significant events or we do not know how to relax and enjoy the ordinary. I love the custom in many countries of taking a siesta at midday. We have much to learn.

One of our church’s favorite events is this Sunday afternoon at 3 PM – Carols with the Choir. We have many talented musicians here at St. Francis and you will have the opportunity to hear them as well as join them in song. This is a relaxing and inspiration hour to help you enter more deeply in the spirit of the season. A free will offering will be accepted for our music program.

Have you stopped at our Christmas Market in the lobby of the Parish House? There are many beautiful items on sale from Fair Trade countries.

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

Our Commemorative Book is available for sale at the reception desk in the Parish House for $20 or you can purchase a copy online HERE for $25.00 (which includes shipping).

Get your copy of this limited-edition keepsake now!

To understand how racism works today, we must recognize that generations of African Americans were disadvantaged by slavery, wage theft, “Jim Crow” laws, and by the systematic denial of access to numerous wealth-building opportunities for others. This has left many African Americans without hope, discouraged, disheartened, and feeling unloved. While it is true that some individuals and families have thrived, significant numbers of African Americans were born into economic and social disparity. The poverty experienced by many of these communities has its root in racist policies that continue to impede the ability of people to find affordable housing, meaningful work, adequate education, and social mobility. The generational effects of slavery, segregation, and the systematic use of violence— including the lynching of more than 4,000 black men, women and children across 800 different counties throughout the United States between 1877 and 1950—are realities that must be fully recognized and addressed in any process that hopes to combat racism.

(to be continued)

This is the Second Sunday of Advent and we hear John the Baptist proclaim the message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John’s message was meant to “prepare the way of the Lord.” John had to deal with many obstacles that stood in the way of people accepting that the “kingdom of heaven was at hand.” Yet many went to be baptized by him. The “closeness” of the kingdom is a message for us and it is meant to help us remove any obstacles that prevent us from allowing it to enter into our lives. Advent is a time to realize the closeness of God to us. What prevents us from realizing this?

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is not celebrated on Sunday, December 8, this year, but has been transferred to Monday, December 9. However, it is not a holy day of obligation. It is a special day, and attending Mass is the best way to observe it.

Have you seen the Christmas ornaments and nativity sets in the lobby of the Parish House? Many are from Peru, India and Kenya and are products of Fair Trade Communities. The craftsmanship is amazing on the ornaments and small nativities. Pleas stop by.