‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2022 December 17

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 17 December, in the year of our Lord 2022. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, Ember Saturday in Adventide.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Advent IV; decorating the Parish for Christ Mass after the 10:00 service.
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Feria.
• Tuesday: 6:30 PM, Mass, Monthly Parish Requiem.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. Thomas, Apostle & Martyr.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, Feria, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Feria, using the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 11:00 PM (Midnight Mass), First Mass of Christ Mass, Christ Mass Eve.
• Sunday (One Mass Only): 10:00 AM, Feast of the Nativity, Christ Mass Day.

The Ordo Kalendars are here! They are only fifteen-dollars a pop, despite increasing costs all-around us; last year they were 'fourteen. Please see Charlotte or myself to get yours.

Please note that tomorrow, Sunday, 18 December, after the 10:00 service, we will decorate the Parish for the imminent Christ Mass-tide. The supplies and decorations are all laid-out in the Parish Hall. We will enjoy snacks and fellowship as we further prepare for the Coming of our Lord. As noted-above, there are several changes from our usual schedule of services. We've sporadically done the Vigil of the Nativity; this year, however, it falling on a Saturday, it was decided to omit it. Thus, on Saturday, 24 December, one-week from today, the only service will be the First Mass of the Nativity (Midnight Mass). This service will commence at 11:00 PM.

On Sunday morning-next, it being Christ Mass Day, there will only be one service, at 10:00 AM. There will be no coffee-hour, as folks will, no-doubt, wish to return to their homes, to be with their families (all of whom should have joined them at Church, that morning!). Monday, 26 December, we will return to our usual schedule of services.

Repent! Repent ye, while there yet remains time! This sentiment, in one form or another, has echoed throughout the Church, from before the earthly days of our Lord, back-into the Jewish times that preceded them. Repentance is, in a sense, a slippery concept ~ there is always more time for repentance ... until there isn't.

Even with the correct, historical interpretation of Purgatory as that middle-place betwixt and between physical death and our triumphal entrance into Heaven, there is time for amendment of spirit after death, and before our Lord's second, final return. However, with His return, Purgatory (all of the graves) shall be emptied, their occupants sorted-into the resurrections of righteousness and damnation. Thus, even the opportunity afforded by Purgatory for remedial action shall come to an end.

Here on Earth, we now stand at a lesser-such juncture. Advent, one of the two, great penitential seasons of the Church, is coming to a close, in-anticipation of the Lord's coming to save us, and further anticipating that second, last, great coming at the end of days. Repent, whiles ye may.

Are you ready for Christ Mass? We are, all of us, always ready for joy, and celebration. Beneath the surface-statement of readiness, lies the more profound question ~ have ye prepared for the coming day? If you've not confessed your sins to the Father, do it now. If you are in-need of sacramental confession, with the Priest, schedule it now. Make use of the remaining days of Advent, make use of the time that God has given you, for time, most assuredly, will end. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Fr. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish