…”Here is your God! He comes with power, the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm; here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.” The first reading from the prophet Isaiah on this second Sunday of Advent should give each of us great hope. Here is your God – God who gently cares for us His flock, leading and caring for us with the most tender of care. Imagine yourself in the gentle arms of the Lord. Most of us would feel a great sense of comfort and peace. This is the peace that God wants to give each of us every day. Bring yourself into the strong, gentle, outstretched arms of God. There you will find peace.
…One way for each of us to experience the peace of God is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Through the ministry of the Church, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, wants to lift the burdens from your heart and grant you healing and peace. We have many priests joining us this coming Tuesday, December 12 at 7:30 pm. Come experience the deep merciful peace of Christ.
…I hope you are doing the “Advent Challenge.” Some of our 20-somethings put this together for our community. It offers a daily challenge to help us find and share God’s peace with others. You can find it online at: stambrose.us/adventchallenge/.
…This Sunday evening join us for an evening of Advent Song and Worship with Colton Dixon. He is often played on 95.5 The FISH. He brings great music and an inspiring message to our community in this Advent Season. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door. The concert starts at 7:00 pm in the Church. Invite your friends!
…Speaking of friends, did you know that over half the people surveyed said that they ‘would go to Church’ if someone invited them. What a great way to share the peace and comfort of Christ.
…Also speaking of friends, Len Howser from 95.5 the FISH will be at Saint Ambrose twice this weekend. He is the speaker at the Advent Tea on Saturday and will be joining us for Colton Dixon on Sunday. This past Friday a group of students from Saint Ambrose School were on the air with Len. If you want some good music as you decorate your house or drive through the snow (it’s coming)….tune in to 95.5 The FISH.
…God provides beyond our imagination. We have ‘adopted’ 66 individuals for our 12 days of Christmas program and when Lisa Homady was putting it all together tonight (Tuesday) she had 66 people who signed up to do 12 days of nice little things to bring hope – and care – and comfort to some of our members this Christmas. God’s planning is always the BEST.
…Many, many thanks to all who participated in the #WeGiveCatholic at the end of November. We raised over $4000 from our good members to do good works for those in need this Christmas and support the 12 days of Christmas outreach ministry. Praise God. God bless you for all the ways so many in our community work so generously to continue the compassion and care of the Good Shepherd.
…Speaking of care and compassion, I am humbled as I watch car and mini-van after mini-van drop off gifts from the Advent Giving Trees. Our head elf tells me that over 1200 tags made their ways to the trees. Thank you for your care for those in need. God bless you for your goodness. One of our dads was telling me a great story about his 20-something daughter. There were all sorts of ‘packages’ dropped off at the family home for her. He was thinking – Christmas gifts for the family. Nope….the boxes were items purchased for the Advent Giving Tree. The dad, needless to say, was ‘thrilled’ beyond words to see his child doing such caring things for others in this season of giving and caring.
…Don’t forget that next Sunday is our Living Nativity at 5:45 pm . It’s a great way to help your children and grandchildren remember the ‘reason for the season’ – Jesus Christ. There will be live animals, the Angel Choir and great snacks. It’s a great way to help your family and friends (and neighbors) have the right focus for the season.
…We are so blessed to welcome Bishop Nelson Perez to Saint Ambrose for the 4:30 pm Mass next Saturday, December 16. He comes on Gaudete Sunday—the Sunday of joy and rejoicing – to share the joy of the Gospel as he begins his ministry in our Diocese. Please join us. There will be a reception in Hilkert Hall following Mass.
…Many thanks to all who are dropping off Angel Ornaments for the beautiful tree in the Narthex. Thanks, too, to all who are working so hard to keep our Church so beautifully decorated for Advent and Christmas…and thanks too to all who are contributing to the Christmas Flower collection. Names of your loved ones will appear in the Christmas bulletin. Thank you so much.
…We’ve had a number of very productive meetings on our Church repair/renovation plans. The Vision 20/20 team has been working hard to answer all your questions. You should be receiving a newsletter this week with good information. So many have commented so enthusiastically about the concepts for our Church. We want it to be a place for all to come and find the peace and comfort of the Lord. Watch for details in your mail this week.
…Every day – and every night – so many come to our campus to learn and grow in the ways of the Lord. So many come in their times of struggle and need to find comfort and peace. Each of us is called in these Advent days to make our lives a prayer of peace. How can we bring this peace, this comfort of the Lord to our homes and families this week?
