Christ the Divine Shepherd  

Penn Hills/Pitcairn/Monroeville 

Saint John Eudes, the great French saint, once wrote: “We must continue to accomplish in ourselves the stages of Jesus’ life and his mysteries and often to beg him to perfect and realize them in us and in his whole Church…For it is the plan of the Son of God to make us and the whole Church partake in his mysteries and to extend them to and continue them in us and in his whole Church.  This is his plan for fulfilling his mysteries in us.”  One of the stages of Jesus’ life that does not get enough consideration is one that happened before He was born: the waiting.  The Catechism reminds us that “[w]hen the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming.”

Hymns are an important part of our liturgical celebration, and there are two in particular that are used during Advent that really help capture the idea of expectancy.  The first is the Marian antiphon that we sing at the end of Mass, Alma Redemptoris Mater.  Of the four antiphons used throughout the year, I find this one to be the most difficult to sing; but that being said, I also possess no musical talent whatsoever.  This particular hymn is at least a thousand years old, and expresses the hope of those waiting for their Redeemer:  Holy mother of our Redeemer, gate of heaven, star of the sea, help the falling people who seek to rise again; you, who to the wonderment of nature bore your own creator, and remained a virgin after as before, hearing the greeting from Gabriel’s lips, have pity on us poor sinners.

The other great Advent hymn is Conditur Alme Siderum, known in English as Creator of the Stars of Night.  This hymn is even older, dating back to at least the seventh century (some claim the fourth century, but that seems unlikely).  It also captures the expectant hope of this season: “In sorrow that the ancient curse/should doom to death a universe/you came to save a ruined race/with healing gifts of heavenly grace.”

As we strive to accomplish in ourselves the stages of Jesus’ life, may the liturgy, the source and summit of our life, continue to be what guides us and what draws us into a deeper relationship with Jesus, whom we wait for with joyful hope.

Immaculate Conception – This Thursday, December 8^th, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary and is a holy day of obligation.  Mass times will be as follows: December 7^th, 7:00 PM, Monroeville; December 8: 9:00 AM (both churches); 12:15 PM (Monroeville); 7:00 PM (Penn Hills).

Giving Tree -  Please remember that if you took a tag from any of the giving trees, please return your wrapped gift (with tag attached) by Monday, December 12^th.

Confessions -  Please note that the Thursday evening confessions will be on hiatus for the remainder of the calendar year.  Confession will also be available on Wednesday, December 14, from 6-9 PM at both churches.  There will also be an Advent penance service the evening of Monday, December 19, in Monroeville.

Catechism in a Year – On the heels of the very popular and successful “Bible in a Year” podcast, Ascension Press is launching a new endeavor: the Catechism in a Year.  We invite all parishioners to listen and learn, and to join in a discussion group about what you’ve learned.  See page 4 for more information.

Oremus pro invicem!