As I begin this “note” for the First Sunday of Advent, I have a correction to make to the schedule that I submitted for last week’s bulletin regarding the Wednesday evenings of Prayer and Sacrament. Circumstances led me to change the time at which we would begin, but I didn’t adjust the expected time at which we would conclude. So, as you will see in the announcement in this and each week’s bulletin during Advent, the times will be: Evening Prayer 7:00 PM Mass 7:15 PM Exposition / Adoration 7:45 PM With Opportunity for Reconciliation Benediction / Conclusion 8:30 PM “Eyes on the prize …” This is a phrase and a concept that is used often and widely in many areas of human undertaking. It is meant to remind and encourage us that the moment in which we stand might demand much, and it might make the distant goal seem out of reach, but being here and pressing on is what it takes. The Scripture readings of the First Sunday of Advent take a comparable stand and offer a comparable message. Our first steps into this Season and into an entirely new year of the Church’s prayer, worship, and ministries of service do look to the imminent moment of celebrating Christmas, but also look further and to so much more. We invite the Spirit of God to conform us more and more to the mystery of God’s Word made flesh. Then we and everyone and everything around us can be one step further toward the time of welcoming our God with truly open hearts. We don’t know when the moment of Jesus’ promised return will be at hand, but He comes. As we, in the flesh, serve God more fully and faithfully, God’s truth is proclaimed in the midst of the world as both invitation and welcome. I pray God’s grace for you during days and weeks that surely will be busy. May they be a time of and lead to the richest of blessings! Fr. Tom