"God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory."

"The word of God came to John in the desert."

Deserts are places of silence, starkness, quiet beauty much like our world after an evening snow storm. (Which we don't want by the way!) The silence and the quiet beauty stir something deep within us. God comes to us in those moments to lead us to a place of even deeper peace and joy.

Consider: Christmas Lights

When we notice the Christmas lights that brighten up an evening hour or if we take in the Lights at the Toledo Zoo, we can see the Mystery of God trying to light up our world and enfold us in quiet peace.

Have you slowed yourself down lately to take in any of God's peace? Or is it constant rush, rush, rush? In the midst of it all.turn off the cell phone for 30 minutes, stop by church & sit in the stillness for 10, or walk through your neighborhood at night. Advent is about experiencing God in the midst of all that life offers - if only we'd slow down long enough to experience it.

Reminders:

Evening Prayer is celebrated on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the church.

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation - Mass times are as follows:
Monday, December 7 - Vigil Mass at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesdsay, December 8 - 8:00 a.m., 12:15 and 7:30 p.m.

Have a wonderful week,
Fr. Bill