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pastor's CornerNovember 29, 2020Dear St. Vincent de Paul Parishioners,
Last Sunday, we celebrated the Solemn Feast of Christ the King which concluded the liturgical year. And this coming weekend being the first Sunday of Advent, the Church begins another new liturgical year. What is the Advent season? It is the whole of the church’s celebration of the redemptive mystery of Christ otherwise known as the Pascal mystery.
The word Advent is translated from the Latin “Adventus”, which itself was translated from the Greek “Parousia”, meaning showing forth, appearing or coming forth.
The Advent season has a double meaning in our Faith. First, it is a period when the Church re-lives the promise made by God to the people in the Old Testament through the prophet Isaiah (Is 7:14; 9:7) Micah (Mic 5:2) and Malachi (Mal 3:1) about the coming of the Messiah in the flesh (the mystery of the incarnation) which was confirmed by the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. These three Gospels narrate the story of His birth. The second meaning of Advent is a period when the Church expects the final and definitive revelation of Christ in glory; known as the mystery of the Parousia or second coming of Christ. In all these, the underlying message is “Preparation”.
As an analogy, Advent can be likened to a desert experience. In the desert, the atmosphere is invariably dry, and the elements evaporate water from the soil which impedes productivity. In the case of man, our lives are completely barren and dry without the presence of God. Humans undergo a spiritual longing for the Lord in order to survive life’s arid experience and we seek moisture from God for our souls.
Advent requires a deep-seated spiritual journey and an intense inward-looking preparation. This Lord we are expecting will not come into our lives if we are lazy in our preparation. We have to open our hearts to the Lord and we personally are the only ones who can prepare for His arrival. Jesus cannot possibly open our hearts without our help. For the scripture says, “Behold I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share a meal at his side” (Revelation 3:20).
Advent calls us to think of our relationship with God in the present. It calls for a diagnosis of our spiritual life and inward focus on preparation.
Start with these questions:
1) How many of us attend Mass and remain attentive and watchful for a complete hour without being distracted?
2) Do we pay attention to where the readings are taken from?
3) Do we realize that Jesus speaks to us in the readings?
4) Do we concentrate during the homily without thinking about other things?
If we cannot pay attention to Christ who comes to us in His Word and in the Eucharist at an hour we know each Sunday, then how can we possibly keep alert and watch for the unannounced hour of His coming?
Mark 13:33: Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come."
Come, Lord Jesus! Come and visit your people.
We await your coming. Come, O Lord.
Have yourselves a wonderful Thanksgiving - May God’s Love shine upon you and your families and keep you safe.
Fr. Michael J. Healy
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*Reservation Procedure for Attending MassUpdated starting Sunday October 4, 2020 for 8AM and 10AM masses
Beginning on Sunday, October 4th, 2020, per our SF Government, places of worship can allow more indoor attendees. SVDP will allow up to 70 people to enter the church and celebrate for each of the 8AM and 10AM masses.
Please check through here: https://svdpsf.org/mass-procedures to see the rules and processes.
You need to reserve your spot by sending an email to: churchoffice@svdpsf.com Without a reservation, you can not enter the church.
Parishioners need to call/email the rectory Monday thru Friday before 4pm to reserve a seat at Mass. Emails sent on the weekends will go unanswered.
Blessings,
Fr. Michael Healy, Monsignor Harry, Fr. Michael Strange, and Fr. Roy
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Fr. Ken Westray Memorial Page
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The Church encourages the faithful to dedicate the month of November as a time of remembrance for our dear ones who have died.
Here at St. Vincent de Paul it gives us the opportunity to remember our departed pastor Fr. Ken Westray.
Please join us in honoring the memory of Fr. Ken.
Click on link to view
Fr. Ken Westray Memorial page
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Streaming Mass Online
Watch Sunday Mass LIVE or at your convience on our
St. Vincent De Paul Facebook page
People who don’t have Facebook accounts may be worried that they can’t watch their church’s Mass on Sunday, but that should not be the case. Masses that are live-streamed publicly can be watched by anyone. When the Facebook login pops up, just click the “not now” option and you can watch. https://www.facebook.com/saintvincents
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Mass Times
Sun. 8am* & 10am*
Reservations Required
Mon-Sat 8am
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Weekly Bulletin
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Mass Times
- Sunday: 8:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN Reservation Required 10:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN Reservation Required
- MonSat 8:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN
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Confession Times
- Saturday: 4:30 PM
Suspended due to Covid Restrictions, please contact the Rectory for appointment -
Today's Readings
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Reading 1 ROM 10:9-18Responsorial Psalm PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11Gospel MT 4:18-22
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