CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL

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1 St. John of the Cross Catholic Cluster NOTRE DAME du MONT CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL St. David St. Agatha St. Bruno - St. Remi St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel St. Luce St. Joseph (Hamlin) St. Thomas Aquinas St. Joseph (Sinclair) St. Michael (Summer Months) December 9, 2018 Pastor Fr. James Plourde james.plourde@portlanddiocese.org Parochial Vicars Fr. Antony Alexander Maria Doss, HGN antony.mariadoss@portlanddiocese.org Fr. Selvaraj Kasi, HGN selvaraj.kasi@portlanddiocese.org Deacons Rev. Mr. Donald R. Clavette donald.clavette@portlanddiocese.org Rev. Mr. Rodney Deschaine rodney.deschaine@portlanddiocese.org Cluster 2 Business Coordinator Greg Cyr greg.cyr@portlanddiocese.org Bulletin Editor janice.dufour@portlanddiocese.org Sacramental & Pastoral Care SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Please call your parish office for appointment. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday before 4pm Mass or appointment. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Please call your parish office at least 6 months prior to date. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please call your parish office. FUNERALS Please contact the Cluster 2 business office. New Parishioners If you are new to the parish or have an address or phone number change, please contact your parish office. NOTRE DAME DU MONT CARMEL 309 St. Thomas Street, Suite 103 Madawaska, ME Parish Office / Cluster 2 Business Office notredamedumontcarmel@portlanddiocese.org Faith Formation Office OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY 379 Main St./PO Box 10, St. Agatha, ME Parish Office Faith Formation Office ST. PETER CHANEL 174 Main St., Van Buren, ME Parish Office StPeterChanelParish@portlanddiocese.org

2 Second Sunday of Advent December 9, 2018 Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Mass Schedule Saturday, December 8 Immaculate Conception 8:30am SD: For parishioners Pastor 4:00pm ST: Gedeon Corriveau (1st Anniv.) Aline & Family 6:00pm SG: Martha Beaupre St. Gerard Ladies of St. Anne Sunday, December 9 Second Sunday of Advent 8:30am ST: Louis Bee Bourgoin Bob & Gert 11:00am SD: Bertha Theriault Joyce Michaud Monday, December 10 8:30am ST: Adrian Gagnon Leola & Family Tuesday, December 11 St. Damasus I 9:00am-5:45pm ST: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 6:00pm ST: Violette Picard Family Wednesday, December 12 / No Mass / Our Lady of Guadalupe Thursday, December 13 No Mass / St. Lucy Friday, December 14 No Mass / St. John of the Cross 2:00pm CVE: George Dugal John & Noreen Pelletier 2:00pm RDG: Roland Michaud Roberta Guerrette Saturday, December 15 4:00pm ST: Lloyd Tardif Ruth & Family 6:00pm SG: Richard Dick Corbin Nancy & Family Sunday, December 16 Third Sunday of Advent 8:30am ST: Memorial Mass Intentions 11:00am SD: Pauline Migneault Uncle Bert & Aunt Kathleen Our Lady of the Valley Mass Schedule Saturday, December 8 Immaculate Conception 4:00pm SA: Earl McGlaughlin Sr. Family Sunday, December 9 Second Sunday of Advent 10:30am SL: Gedeon Corriveau (1st Anniv.) Family 4:00pm SJ: Raymond Lizotte Lloyd & Judy Paradis Monday, December 10 6:00pm SA: Rinette Gervais Richard Gervais Tuesday, December 11 St. Damasus I 8:30am SJ: Sr. Pauline Bonenfant Constance Cote Wednesday, December 12 No Mass / Our Lady of Guadalupe Thursday, December 13 St. Lucy 6:00pm SL: Sylvia Gies Jean Paul, Cleo, Sophie & Anne Ouellette Friday, December 14 No Mass / St. John of the Cross Saturday, December 15 4:00pm SA: Roger Jr. & Roger Sr. Lizotte Antoinette Lizotte & Family Sunday, December 16 Third Sunday of Advent 10:30am SL: Patrick Robichaud Dora Franck & Family 4:00pm SJ: Fr. Claude Albert Msgr. Rene Mathieu Saturday, December 8 Immaculate Conception 4:00pm SB/SR: Deceased Members of the Sirois & Lapointe Families Marlene & Ray Maldonado Sunday, December 9 Second Sunday of Advent 8:00am SJ: George Labreck Wife, Thelma Lebreck 9:15am SB/SR: Gervaise Lapierre Claude & Cecile Roy Monday, December 10 6:00pm SB/SR: Patrick Thibodeau Yolande & Family Tuesday, December 11 No Mass / St. Damasus I Wednesday, December 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe 6:00pm SB/SR: Fernand E. Thibodeau Wife, Edwina & Family 6:30-7:00pm SB/SR: Eucharistic Adoration & Reconciliation St. Peter Chanel Mass Schedule Thursday, December 13 No Mass / St. Lucy Friday, December 14 St. John of the Cross 10:00am BVM: Kim R. Beaulieu Carmen Doucette Saturday, December 15 4:00pm SB/SR: Memorial Mass Family & Friends Sunday, December 16 Third Sunday of Advent 8:00am SJ: Jerome Bell Beecher & Viola King 9:15am SB/SR: Rachel Michaud Loth Frank, Chris & Dan Abbreviations for Cluster Church Sites and Facilities NOTRE DAME DU CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL SD - St. David SA - St. Agatha SB/SR - St. Bruno/St. Remi SG - St. Gerard SL - St. Luce SJ - St. Joseph (Hamlin) ST - St. Thomas Aquinas SJ - St. Joseph (Sinclair) BVM - Borderview Manor CV - Country Village SM - St. Michael s Chapel RDG - Ridgewood SJMC - St. Joseph Memory Care HVM - High View MH - Montfort Heights

3 Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish Corner St. David, St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel/Grand Isle, St. Thomas Aquinas/Madawaska Worship & Spirituality PRAY FOR OUR SICK Anne B.C. Deschaine, Rosanne Chasse, Roger Ayotte, Lorette Chasse, Louise Gendreau, Joe Ouellette, Randy Dufour, George Dionne, Carlene Martin, Gene Lavoie, Gordon Soucy, Bernice Martin, Joan Baron, Tom Gagnon, Mike Rossignol, Joel Albert, Donna Neill, Edwina Sirois, Odette Pelletier, Brenda Levesque and Aline Bouchard. FMI call LAMP FOR THE UNBORN BURNS FOR: St. David - for the unborn a Parishioner St. Gerard - for Benson & Caiden Donna Deschaine ST. GERARD SANCTUARY LAMP BURNS IN DECEMBER FOR: Addis, Norma & John Beaupre Helen; Adeline Lavertue Claude; Paul Cloutier Wife, Rolande & Family ST. THOMAS AQUINAS SANCTUARY LAMP BURNS IN DECEMBER FOR: Parents Defunt of M/M Albert Pelletier EUCHARISTIC ADORATION EVERY TUESDAY at St. Thomas Aquinas Church from 9am 6:00pm. This week s intention: For all who are estranged from their families, that they may find forgiveness and be reconciled during this Advent season, and also for our area businesses and their workforces. REST IN PEACE Please pray for those who have died and for their families: Henry (Henri) Ouellette, 93, who passed away on November 29th in CT. He was the brother of Gerard Ouellette of our parish Parish Life DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA CHRISTMAS PARTY & OPEN MEETING: Social at 5pm; meal at 6pm followed open meeting and entertainment. CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS MASS: We will have a practice for the children s Mass in St. David on Sunday, December 16th at 12:30pm. We are in need of angels, shepherds, lector s etc. The Mass itself will be at St. David on December 24th at 6:00pm. All are welcome. If you have any questions please call Kathleen at ST. GERARD LADIES OF ST. ANNE MEMORIAL LIGHTS PROJECT 2018: We will be selling lights in memory of a loved one, living or deceased. Cost: $3/each or 2 for $5.00 You can contact a member of our sodality or call Angela at Our tree will be lit from the First Sunday of Advent throughout the Christmas Season. A Mass will be celebrated Dec. 22nd at 6pm. DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA PRAYER LINE: If you are in need of prayers for you or a loved one, the Daughters of Isabella can help through the Prayer Line. To add a name to the prayer line, contact Lorraine Talbot, Finance & Administration Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Financial Update Offertory: July 1, 2018 to November 25, 2018 Budget: $158,654 Actual: $153,856 Under Anticipated: -$4,798 Amount given Weekly goal St. David $1,507 $1,849 St. Gerard $913 $908 St. Thomas Aquinas $3,429 $4,454 Weekly Totals $5,849 $7,212 SECOND COLLECTION December 8/9 - Retirement Fund for Religious 2018 CATHOLIC APPEAL UPDATE Goal: $37,553 Total pledges to date: $34,216 (91% of goal) with 168 households participating. CELEBRATE JESUS An Advent Gathering for ALL PARISHIONERS YOUNG & OLD Sunday, December 9 th 6pm St. David Parish Center Presentation of the Stations of the Crib the Faith Formation Students; Special Visitors with special treats; Christmas Caroling; Food & drink; DJ music for children. ALL are invited for an evening of prayer, entertainment, food and sharing the joy of the season with one another. A group of parishioners are preparing Christmas baskets. If you wish to take part making a money donation, you may do so bringing it to the Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Business office December 19 th. Your generosity will bring joy to someone in need this Christmas. Thank you for your support! PLEASE NOTE: YOU WILL FIND THE MEMORIAL MASS INTENTIONS ON THE CLUSTER PAGE FOR NOTRE DAME DU MONT CARMEL!!! Community Events AMERICAN LEGION AUX UNIT 147 MONTHLY MEETING: Monday, December 10th, meal at 6pm and meeting at 7pm. Hope to see you there.

4 Our Lady Of The Valley Parish Corner St. Agatha, St. Joseph/Sinclair, St. Luce/Frenchville, St. Michael Chapel Worship & Spirituality SANCTUARY LAMP: Burns this week: St. Agatha: In Memory of the Family of Philip & Linda Bechard CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE December 24th - Christmas Eve 4:00pm St. Luce - Children s Mass 7:00pm St. Joseph December 25th - Christmas Day 9:00am St. Agatha NEW YEAR S DAY MASS January 1, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 9:00am St. Luce ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Monday s after 6:00 p.m. Mass until 7:30 p.m. at St. Agatha Thursday s after 6:00 pm. Mass until 7:30 p.m. at St. Luce Prayer Line Contacts St. Joseph: Cecile Ouellette Finance & Administration Our Lady of the Valley Financial Updates Offertory: July 1, 2018 to November 25, 2018 Budget: $84,615 Actual: $85,809 Over Anticipated: $1,193 Amount Given Weekly Goal St. Agatha $1,577 $1,876 St. Joseph $806 $629 St. Luce $943 $1,174 St. Michael (13 weeks) $ $791 SECOND COLLECTION December 8/9 - Retirement Fund for Religious 2018 CATHOLIC APPEAL UPDATE Goal: $20,424: Total pledges to date: $12,539 (61% of goal) with 66 households participating. St. Agatha Rectory Office Hours: 9:00am - 12:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday Closed on Friday!! Sacramental Life SACRAMENT of RECONCILIATION / CONFESSIONS Mondays at St. Agatha: After 6pm Mass Thursdays at St. Luce: After 6pm Mass Parish Life The Giving Tree will be out the first week of Advent in all our churches. Please take a tag and buy a gift card of your choice and return December 22nd. We will be blessing the less fortunate in our community. If you wish to purchase a poinsettia in remembrance of a loved one to put in church during the Christmas season, bring them in the week of December 16th with the name of the loved one that you want us to remember. St. Agatha Ladies of Ste. Anne Christmas Party Sunday, December 9th at the Lakeview Restaurant 11:00 am - 2:00pm All members are invited to attend. St. Lucy - Feast Day, December 13th Community Events SENIOR LUNCH Sinclair: Monday, December 17th at 11:30 a.m. Menu: Baked Ham

5 St. Peter Chanel Parish Corner St. Bruno-St. Remi Church/Van Buren, St. Joseph Church/Hamlin & Borderview Nursing Home ST. BRUNO-ST. REMI CHURCH SPONSORS BREAD & WINE SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Antoine Levesque John & Noreen SANCTUARY LAMP SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Patrick Thibodeau Yolande & Family Parish Life CELEBRATE JESUS An Advent Gathering for ALL PARISHIONERS YOUNG & OLD Sunday, December 16th at 6pm Presentation of the Stations of the Crib the Faith Formation Students. There will be Christmas caroling, music & DJ for the Children, and Special Visitors with special treats. All are invited to share the joy of the season in this evening of prayer, entertainment, and refreshments. CHRISTMAS MASS DATES AND TIMES: DECEMBER 24TH: 4pm Monday, St. B/R Children s Christmas Mass DECEMBER 24TH: 6pm Monday, St. Joseph/Hamlin, Dec.13th, 5:30pm DECEMBER 25TH: 9:15am Tuesday, St. B/R Christmas Day Mass All the Readings will be from the Midnight Mass at all Liturgies. Note: The Gloria is sung Christmas until the Baptism of the Lord (1/7). Holy day of Obligation: Feast of Mary the Mother of God is Jan.1st, The Mass of anticipation is on Monday, Dec. 31st at 6pm. ST. BRUNO-ST. REMI / VAN BUREN MEMORIAL MASS INTENTIONS DECEMBER 15TH, 2018 Mamie Lapointe Marie Miles Ned Levesque his wife, Patricia Hayden Perreault Greg & Sandy Edgecomb Lilly Perreault Carmen Madore & Jean Phyllis Lajoie Sue & Stella Chasse Kim Beaulieu Don & Marietta Cyr Souls in Purgatory Joseph R. Cote Rev. Anthony Lombardi Connie Cote Carmen Doucette Rudy & Nancy Ouellette Rachel Michaud Loth Frank, Chris & Dan Aurel Doucette the Voisine Family Gervaise Lapierre Aldeo & Rita Belanger Phil Dufour Cora Sirois Therese Gagnon Phil & Sue Lajoie Clarence Boutot Ramon & Marlene Maldonado Gilbert Soucy on the occasion of his 90th birthday Rochelle & Family MASS INTENTIONS: For a while we had an overload of Mass intentions to be said. To catch up we instituted the Memorial Mass Listings. Now that we are caught up we will stop the Memorial Masses and we would be happy to schedule individual intentions. Thank you for your patience through this process. If you have loved ones or friends that you would like to offer a Mass for we would be happy to schedule one for you. ~Fr. Jim Bulletin Memorials In Memory of: Prayers for our Nation & World Glen Madore Deceased Members of the Lajoie & Sirois Families Mike & Marie Lajoie Tardif & Parent Families Ron & June & Family Deceased Members of the Lajoie & Madore Families Steve & Marilyn Antoine Levesque the Pelletier Grandchildren, Leslie, Monica & Brian Rachel Michaud Loth Frank, Chris & Dan Patrick Thibodeau Yolande & Family Leo & Jane Ayotte Fred & Colette Ayotte Roland Laverdiere Matilda & John Levesque & Morrow Families John & Noreen Youth Ministry News Youth Ministry Meetings SPC Parish Hall: Dec. 9 - Meeting: 6-7:30pm YM Room Dec.16 - Meeting: 6-7:30pm YM Room Dec.23 - No Meeting Finance & Administration Edmond Doucette Don, Mike & Alan Ernest, Tina, & Jim Marquis Rita, Marge & Family Wilfred & Yvonne Cyr Colette & Fred Ayotte Pelletier & Charette Families John & Noreen Jerome Bell Mom & Family WINNERS OF THE NOVEMBER M.E.M DRAWING: $100 Edmund Saucier III ; $50 - Gerald Parent; Brian Pelletier; $25 Yolande Thibodeau; Percy Madore; Leah Sirois; Good Shepherd Sisters. Congratulations to the winners and thank you for your support! Please allow two weeks for checks. HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS is a Norstate FCU campaign to help those who are food insecure. Please consider contributing something extra. Food donations may be dropped at church or Norstate. Financial donations may be put in the collection box at the rear of the church or at the church office. Next Regular Distribution FRIDAY Dec 28, 1-3pm Emergencies Dan , Nancy , Norm /50 KC & Columbiettes Weekly Drawing (drop off at KC mailbox or mail: 284 Main St, VB) Name: Address Phone # Amount Enclosed $ $10 = 5wks, $26=13wks, $52=26wks, $104=52wks St. Peter Chanel Parish Financial Updates Offertory: July 1, 2018 to November 25, 2018 Budget: $57,538 Actual: $58,961 Over Anticipated: $1,423 Amt. Given $2,882 Wkly Goal $2,525 Average Collection: This yr. $2,680 Last yr. $2,699 2nd Collection: Catholic Campaign for Human Development $ CATHOLIC APPEAL 2018: Goal:$14,190 Pledges to date: $6,772 47% of goal, 44 households participating.

6 ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS CATHOLIC CLUSTER / DIOCESAN CORNER LAVALLEE YOUTH MINISTRY MEETING: Meeting this Sunday, December 9th! FMI contact Donna at CLUSTER ADVENT RECONCILIATION Sunday, December 9th, St. David Church 1pm - 2:30pm MEMORIAL MASS INTENTIONS December 16th - 8:30am - St. Thomas Aquinas Deceased Classmates Class of 1967 All Souls Intentions Parishioners Irma Russell Real & Family Parents Defunt Elden & Jenny Bouchard Johanna Bouchard Bouchard Family Adrian Cyr Robert & Verna Beaulieu Leona Schultz Angelo & Helene Rossignol Andrew Daigle Aline & Willard Levesque Pauline Migneault Friends of Perramond Estates Leonette Gendreau Elaine Selfridge Patricia Daigle Hermance Trudelle Roger & Gloria Rouleau Family George & Ida L Italien Lilly L Italien Kehoe George Dugal K of C 0366 Janice Grandmaison Juliette Grandmaison & Family Adrian Gagnon Jeanne Chartier Parents Dufunt Valier & Therese Thibeault Parents Defunt Normand & Anita Nadeau Adrian Gagnon Claudette Michaud Jeannine Morneault Paul & Raymonde Morneault Therese Fongemie Barbara Paradis Ann Marie Sinclair Eileen Madore Joel Levesque Bertha Doucette & Jacob Jake Germaine Cyr Family & Friends Therese Fongemie Mike & Stella Dumais CHRISTMAS CONCERT: The Caribou Choral Society s 42 nd Annual Christmas concert will be held on Sunday, December 9th, at St. Mary s Church in Presque Isle at 3pm. Let the sounds of the season lift you into the Christmas spirit. All are welcome to attend. GIVING OF THE HEART Students at Wisdom Middle/High School in St. Agatha have been participating in a pilot program called The Giving of the Heart to provide assistance to our local community. High school juniors and seniors go out on Friday morning into the community and help those who are still in their homes but may be unable to do manual labor like yard work or moving furniture. If you know anyone who would benefit from this assistance, please contact Denise Thibeault at Wisdom Middle/High School at or her at dthibeault@msad33.org. ST. THOMAS GIFT SHOP St. Thomas Aquinas Church Basement Hours: Mon. to Thurs. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or call me at or Lee Living Faith" Copies for Jan., Feb., March are in. Pick up your copy now!! CDs: Christmas CDs ON SALE: "Christmas with Daniel O'Donnell" Was $18.95 Now $15.95 Jackie Evancho "Holy Night" Was $11.95 NOW $9 Phil Coulter "Christmas" Was $16.99 NOW $12.99 Steve Hall - Piano - "Christmas Images" Was $16.99 NOW $12.99 Vienna Boys Choir - "Merry Christmas" $10 ROSARIES: Miraculous Medal Rosary - Each bead is a Miraculous Medal - Beautiful Gift idea! PENDANTS: Cross & Crucifix Pendants - different sizes and different prices. All very good quality items and will last for years. Don't be afraid to display a religious item on yourself! We are Christians, let's be proud of it!! NATIVITIES: Terra Cotta Holy Family Church - Lovely addition to your Christmas decorations. Was $39.90 On Sale: $15.99 Books for Kids: "Kristoph & The First Christmas Tree" Nice story for a young one! Was $14.99 ON SALE: $11.99 "The Catholic Youth Bible" A wonderful gift for the young person at college or preparing to go. Let them get familiar with the words of the Holy Bible. It might help them at one point in their lives...and they will need help at one time or another. The world isn't easy on them these days!! $27.95 BOOKS: "The New American Bible" Premium Copy Leather Cover! Gold Leaf Pages! Revised Maps & Clear Printing! SALE PRICE: $24.95 Wonderful Gift for the person who wants to read the Bible!! We have MANY other Bibles, for all ages, for all peoples, in regular and giant print. Come in and see them. Someone in your life can really benefit from having one and will not buy it themselves! Do them a favor! Show them you love them!! Also, Gift Certificates are always available!! REMEMBER A BOOK IS THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING!! KITCHEN PARTY Sunday, December 9, from 1 to 3pm in the Grand Isle Community Center. All musicians, swingers, jiggers and story and joke tellers are welcome. Young people are especially encouraged to perform. Free admission. Free snacks and refreshments. Join us for fun with local entertainers. Sponsored the Greater Grand Isle Historical Society. FMI call Gerald at Pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Rome & Assisi April 30 May 11, 2019; Cost: $3690 Canadian funds and is all inclusive with airfare, lodging, daily breakfast & dinner, tours and entrance fees to places of interest. A deposit of $500 guarantees you a spot. If paid in full the first 10 people get a $400 rebate. FMI contact Marie May Desjardins at or mariedesjardins@gmail.com.

7 GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE: December 09, nd Sunday in Advent "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar...and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee...and Lysanias was tetrach of?" Did you need to pinch yourself awake during the first few lines of this Sunday's Gospel? John the Baptist received quite a prelude today as Luke described the religious and political leadership of the time period. Scripture is divinely inspired, and we believe that everything that made it into the Bible is there for a reason. These lines remind us of an important truth. The Christmas story isn't a fairy tale or nursery rhyme. It's not a parable we say to give meaning to the holiday. At Christmas, God's presence is made tangible in a precise moment in time. The birth of Christ is a historical event. As precursor to Jesus' preaching, the ministry of John the Baptist is also a historical event. "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." John's call to repentance and the forgiveness of sins happened in a particular time and place. But that does not mean it is limited to first century Palestine! God continues to move in our daily lives. What we hear in today's Gospel - and what we anticipate at Christmas - occurs in our daily lives. God works in concrete ways in time and space. He did that 2,000 years ago, and He continues to do so today! This Sunday, examine your own Christmas preparations. Is there anything you need to repent of before the Christmas season? Are there low points in your life, valleys to "be filled" the love of God? Are their mountainous obstacles in your spiritual life? How can they be "made low"? Are you making decisions that have moved you away from God? This Advent season is the time for them to "be made straight and? made smooth." Prepare the way in your heart for Christ today! LIVE THE LITURGY - INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK Making straight the path of Christ is not only the vocation of John the Baptist but of every baptized believer. God desires to lead us with His mercy and justice. These are essentials in God's kingdom and some of the gifts Christ's future coming will bring. But our world's systems do not place emphasis on these values. Wanting greater profits, downsizing companies in order to reduce expenses, using others for personal or corporate gain, and valuing institutions over people are just a few of the "values" we encounter every day. We are called to straighten the path to Christ. In a world that places value on things that are counter to our call, how do we respond? We need to learn to discern what is of real value and then take the risk of bringing it into the marketplace. WHY DO WE DO THAT? - Catholic Traditions Explained Question: On many Sundays, especially during Advent and Lent, we hear a reading from one of the prophets. What is significant about them for us? Didn't Jesus fulfill all their predictions? Answer: Lent and Advent are the times of the church year when the prophetic word forms an important part of the liturgical season. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Baruch, and Zephaniah are just some of the prophets who offer powerful and essential lessons for Christians of any era. Prophets do not predict the future. They are very much concerned about the present, calling Israel to follow once again the word of God. The prophets witness to a life of faith. In the midst of an intense relationship with God, the prophets are very aware of their unworthiness to embrace this call from God and struggle to accept the mission God entrusts to them. The prophets speak on behalf of God. Each testifies that the word spoken is not from them but from God. At times, this lands them in trouble with their audience. Jeremiah, for example, felt betrayed God as the prophetic message was delivered. People did not like the message because of their sin-filled lives, and their displeasure was taken out on the prophet. While tempted at times to "throw in the towel," the prophets remained true to the life of faith and persevered in the proclamation of God's word. In modeling these virtues and calling us to greater fidelity, the prophets offer an example and message that are still important to us today. CATHOLIC QUOTES WORDS TO INSPIRE THE FAITHFUL "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel." Children s Corner QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: First Reading The prophet Baruch offers words of encouragement and hope to the Israelites held in captivity in Balon. How do you seek divine guidance in moments of despair and distress? Second Reading St. Paul offers a prayer for the Philippians so that they may "discern what is of value." What do you value most in this life? Gospel Reading Luke is careful to place the preaching and activities of John the Baptist in its political and religious historical context. Why do you think this information was so important to Luke and his community?