Dear Friends,

During these darkest and shortest days of the year – and in the midst of a pandemic that is steadily gaining its grip on our world, not losing it – I have found myself reflecting on how important it is to hold onto hope, to keep hope alive. But, to be honest with you, it’s not always easy. Some days are better than others. And something tells me that your experience is probably much the same. There are so many things that militate against hope, aren’t there? So many things can cause us to become cynical and sour.

Of course, some people are naturally inclined to be more hopeful than others. Maybe you are among them. Speaking for myself, I’d have to own that sometimes my Irish melancholy and fatalism can get the best of me! However, in my better days, I am able to see the bright side, and I thank God for that.

And people, of course, look for hope – and find hope - in many different places. Many of us, these days, find the growing likelihood of the availability of a vaccine for COVID-19 to be a real source of hope although, as we all know, there are people – an alarming percentage, it seems – who make it clear that they have no intention of availing themselves of a vaccine when it does become available. And in the wake of a bruising national election, there are tens of millions of people who are hopeful about a new administration taking over in Washington, but you hardly need me to tell you that there are nearly as many millions who are disbelieving and anything but hopeful at the prospect! All this to say that it’s somewhere between difficult to impossible – if we look at the world scene and the national scene - to come to any kind of agreement on what we have to be hopeful about.

But enough of the war between hope and hopelessness! Let me remind you of a reason we all have to be hopeful. We are about to enter the month of December, and on the Church’s calendar, that means the beginning of Advent, our great season of expectant hope. It’s no accident that Advent comes during the very darkest days of the year. In Christian antiquity, when a date for celebrating Christmas was settled on (no one, of course, knew what time of year Christ was born), the time of the winter solstice was chosen – the time when pagans celebrated the feast of Sol Invictus (the Invincible Sun). What more appropriate time to mark the coming of Christ into our world, Christ who is the Invincible Sun (and Son!), Christ who is our light in darkness, our hope!

Who doesn’t love Advent with its purple vestments, its haunting melodies, its flickering candles, its ringing bells, its quiet anticipation, its sheer – if restrained – joy? And this year, more than any I can remember, we need Advent. We really do. In 2020, more than ever before, we need a ray of light in darkness, we need a rekindling of hope, the hope that the coming of Christ at Christmas brings.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could anticipate that Coming with the joy and excitement that children have at Christmas? And wouldn’t it be wonderful if we would not only look with wonder at the Christ child, poor and vulnerable, lying in the manger, but also look with love at the Christ living in so many of our sisters and brothers who are as poor and vulnerable as he was?

We have had to let go of so many of our beloved traditions this year. And I am painfully aware that many of us are isolated and homebound, separated from our families, friends and loved ones at the very time we most look forward to being together. But let me offer just a few suggestions on how we can still enter into Advent this year, feeding our spirits and finding Christ in our brothers and sisters.

           My friends, during these days of the pandemic when we might be inclined to turn in on ourselves a bit - chafing against the limitations placed on us and worrying about the future over which we have no control – perhaps the thought that we can be a source of hope for others will charge our batteries and re-focus our energies as we reach out in love to those who have far less reason to hope than we do. Wouldn’t this be the perfect way to celebrate Christmas – and capture the meaning of Christmas – during an Advent and Christmas unlike any other we’ve ever known or, please God – ever will know!

Father Michael G. Ryan

As always, you are invited to bring non-perishable food items with you to share with the needy in our community. This year, because of the limitations on the size of our gathering, we are collecting items all week. You can drop items them by the office between 9am and 5pm on November 23, 24, and 25. Or bring them with you to Mass on Thanksgiving morning, November 26.

The Mass will be livestreamed on Facebook and Vimeo for those who cannot attend in person.

We have put many precautions in place to make sure these celebrations are safe and comfortable. This is not business as usual! The following are important important instructions for those who wish to take part in Mass:

Sacrificial Giving is all about giving back to God what God has given to us. Through our gift to the parish, we reach out—together—in the name of Christ to the poor, the elderly, and the immigrant. We celebrate in a powerful way the mysteries of our faith; and we provide a refuge to so many who live on the edge of loneliness in these trying times.

Our annual Giving Tree is online this year! As you're doing your Christmas shopping, please consider picking up one or two items to be donated to a person in need, whether it's diapers, socks, a toy, or a gift card.

Sam Libra, Cathedral Associate Organist

VIMEO | FACEBOOK

ICYMI: Musical Prayer on November 20

Jackie O'Ryan reads the poem by Nobel Laureate Louise Glück, and Corinna Laughlin provides context and commentary.

Information and registration, Patrick Barredo,

WEEKDAY MASSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Monday—Saturday this week, the 8:00am Mass is open to the public without prior registration. On Tuesdays, 8:00am Mass is followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, concluding with rosary at 12 Noon.

CONFESSIONS IN ADVENT Traditionally, Advent is a time to confess our sins as part of our preparation for Christmas. We have expanded hours for confession this month for those who wish to do so. Please note these special times for confessions: Confessions will be heard on Saturdays, December 5, 12, and 19 at 2:00pm in the Cathedral Chapel. Confessions will also be heard on Wednesday mornings, December 9, 16, and 23, following the 8:00am Mass. All are welcome without appointment or registration.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION IS DECEMBER 8 Masses in the Cathedral for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be on Tuesday, December 8 at 8:00am and 10:30am. All are welcome without prior registration – check in at the Terry and Marion corner of the block.

SIMBANG GABI On Saturday, December 12, at 11:00am, Archbishop Etienne will celebrate the annual Mass to bless parols (star-shaped lanterns) in preparation for the Simbang Gabi novena of Masses, which will take place in parishes around the Archdiocese. The Mass is not open to the public this year but you are invited to join in via livestream on VIMEO or FACEBOOK.

VESPERS AND BENEDICTION on Sunday afternoons at 4:00pm is open to the public. No advance registration required.