This week in Lent started with Laetare Sunday, a happy day of encouragement in the midst of the long fast. In contrast to the stark and somber weeks past, this weekend we found flowers on the altar with the priest and deacon wearing rose-colored vestments. Hear God’s joyful encouragement to you this day as we look toward the joy of Easter Sunday!

"Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Matthew 5: "Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:"

On the liturgical (Church) calendar we return to Ordinary time. Ordinary Time is called "ordinary" because the weeks are numbered. The Latin word ordinalis, which refers to numbers in a series, stems from the Latin word ordo, from which we get the English word order. Thus, Ordinary Time is in fact the ordered life of the Church—the period in which we live our lives neither in feasting (as in the Christmas and Easter seasons) or in more severe penance (as in Advent and Lent), but in watchfulness and expectation of the Second Coming of Christ. Green is the color used to signify this time between liturgical seasons.

Although the secular calendar recognizes Christmas as December 25th as Catholics we continue to celebrate the Birth of Jesus for the next seven days in our liturgies and prayer. For most people, the significance of events like Easter and Christmas cannot be absorbed in one day. It’s like trying to comprehend the grandeur of the Grand Canyon in a brief visit or St. Peter’s Basilica in one walk-through. It’s not possible. We have to return. So it is with the Nativity and the Passion of Christ. We need more time to comprehend that Resurrection morning, more time to understand the virgin birth and God coming down to earth as man. As a result, the Church gives us seven additional days to contemplate these divine mysteries. These extra days on the liturgical calendar, eight in total, are the octaves.

“You are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 The third week of advent begins with “Gaudete Sunday” and the lighting of the rose colored candle. Gaudete means “rejoice” or “joyful” in Latin. We prepare this week by feeling the joy. We move through this week feeling a part of the waiting world that rejoices because our longing has prepared us to believe the reign of God is close at hand.

"The birth of Christ is the central event in the history of the earth -- the very thing the whole story has been about." -- C.S. Lewis SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT: HOPE We light a second purple candle on the second Sunday of Advent to represent the hope of Christ coming to the world. The word "hope" has two meanings in the Bible. The first contains the sense of eager anticipation or waiting. The second depicts a sense of confident expectation based on certainty. Biblical hope is secured by God's faithfulness to His promises. For the Old Testament leaders, their hope was in the Messiah's arrival. For us, it is the hope of the Messiah's return.

“It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open the doors of hope.” This week begins a New Year on the liturgical calendar in Christian Churches. It is therefore fitting that we begin with a period of joyful waiting and expectation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The color purple is dominant during this 4 week period of advent. Purple is the color associated with royalty, demonstrating the anticipation and reception of the coming King celebrated during Advent. The Advent wreath, four candles on a wreath of evergreen, is shaped in a perfect circle to symbolize the eternity of God. During each Sunday of the Advent season, we focus on one of the four virtues Jesus brings us: Hope, Love, Joy and Peace.

We are still in what is called “ordinary time.” Although it may sound anything but special it is truly a reminder of what we need most: a regular and calm pace to life instead of hectic hurrying and pressure. As noted by Father Ron Rolheiser, “there is much literature that speak of the difficulties of being attentive to the present moment and so we miss the moments offered by every hour. “

Almighty God, Our loving Father, thank You for the opportunity to celebrate this memorable event of our organization, the DPD. We thank You for giving us fifty long years…united, growing, and in service to our most vulnerable brothers and sisters. We thank You for Your guidance in times we needed You most . As we move forward, bless us Lord with will power and determination so that we will continue to serve with passion and confidence in your guiding hand. AMEN

Ordinary Time is intended to remind us that Jesus is with us throughout all of our daily trials and triumphs. We should be striving to reflect Jesus’ Teaching with our actions every day.

Father God, I come into your presence so aware of my human frailty and yet overwhelmed by your love for me. I thank you that there is no human experience that I might walk through where your love cannot reach me. If I climb the highest mountain you are there and yet if I find myself in the darkest valley of my life, you are there. Teach me today to love you more. Help me to rest in that love that asks nothing more than a trusting heart. In Jesus name, Amen

Father God, I come into your presence so aware of my human frailty and yet overwhelmed by your love for me. I thank you that there is no human experience that I might walk through where your love cannot reach me. If I climb the highest mountain you are there and yet if I find myself in the darkest valley of my life, you are there. Teach me today to love you more. Help me to rest in that love that asks nothing more than a trusting heart. In Jesus name, Amen