Light the Candle of Peace
Dear brothers and sisters,
This weekend, we are lighting the candle of peace; and we also celebrate the ’Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.’ In God’s plan, the Virgin Mary was chosen to give birth to Jesus, the Prince of Peace. God lit the first candle in her; and she passed on the candle light to the world’s salvation.
Jesus didn’t just come to end conflicts, He came to take away our sins, so that we could fully live in Him / in peace. The word peace / shalom means harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility. It is our responsibility to prepare the way for ‘peace’ removing the barriers in our hearts – pride, hatred and division. John, the Baptist received God’s Word and cried out to “prepare the way of the Lord. It is a journey / process of restoration with the divine grace. How?
Firstly, we make room and time to hear God’s Word in our lives, as John, the Baptist did to fulfill his mission. We may have to embrace silence and solitude to receive His message. Secondly, John proclaimed a baptism of repentance. It does not mean just the confession but a turning away from sin that disturbs our peace or blocks the peace. Thirdly, valleys being lifted, mountains made low and crooked paths straightened - God’s salvation is for all. What “crooked paths” in your life need straightening; valleys of doubt or mountains of pride need leveling? Surrender them to Christ. HE will bulldoze them all and prepare the way to meet Him.
In one Peanuts cartoon Lucy says to Charlie Brown, “I hate everything. I hate everybody. I hate the whole wide world!” Charlie says, “But I thought you had inner peace.” Lucy replies, “I do have inner peace. But I still have outer obnoxiousness.” How can you have inner peace when everything around you disturbs you? The Easy way: Light a candle of peace in your heart and you will have peace everywhere. Wishing you a fruitful Advent season!
Blessings!
Msgr. Xavier
Please pray for vocations to the priesthood,
for the Priests of our Diocese; & for our New Bishop.
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Upcoming Events
Parish Clean-up day [Work Day]
Dec 7, 8:00 - 11:30 am
Bring your tools/equipments
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Dec 9
NOT a Holy Day of Obligation
Mass Times
7:00 am, 12 noon, 6:00 pm (English)
7:30 pm (Spanish)
JOY (Just Older Youth!) Ministry
Dec 12, 6:00 pm
Christmas Party
Bring appetizer & white elephant gift
Anyone 55+ is invited!
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Actual day: December 12: Mańanitas and Mass 5:00 am
Dec 14, Saturday [All-Day celebration]
Mańanitas & Rosary 5:00 am - 7:00 am
Masses: 7:00 am and 11:30 am
Breakfast 8:00 am
Lunch & Entertainment 2:00 pm
Pastor
Rev. Msgr. Xavier Pappu
msgrxavier@stmattlgv.com
Phone: 903-295-3890 x 2103
Phone: 903-295-7558 (res.)
Secretary
Beth Kennedy
churchoffice@stmattlgv.com
Phone: 903-295-3890 x2102
Reception
Julia Valdez
reception@stmattlgv.com
Phone: 903-295-3890 x 2101
Music Ministry
Beth Kennedy
music@stmattlgv.com
Phone: 903-295-3890 x 2107
Faith Formation
Freeda Dasaiyan
dff@stmattlgv.com
Phone: 903-295-3890 x 2105
Youth Ministry
Sonja Gehrmann
Youth@stmattlgv.com
903-295-3890
MASS SCHEDULES
English:
SATURDAY: 5 pm
SUNDAY: 8:30 am, 10:30 am & 6:00 pm.
Spanish:
Sabado: 7 PM
Domingo: 1 PM