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San Fernando Cathedral The Oldest Cathedral Sanctuary in the United States-Founded in 1731 Location– 115 W. Main Plaza Parish Office Mailing Address - 231 W. Commerce San Antonio, TX 78205 www.sfcathedral.org Most Reverend Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S Archbishop of San Antonio San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church Location - 205 Piazza Italia Parish Office Mailing Address - P. O. Box 7783 San Antonio, TX 78207 Rector: Very Rev. Victor Valdez Parochial Vicars: Rev. Prasanna Mese Rev. Juan Carlos Tejada Rev. Raymond Schuster - In Residence Deacons: Deacon Joe Marroquin Deacon Julio Garcia III Deacon Victor Cepero Deacon C. Roger Macias Deacon Ismael Casanova-ReƟred Deacon Doroteo Pedroza - ReƟred Director of Religious Ed: Lupita Mandujano Director of Music Ministries: Rick Mc Laughlin Parish Sta: Louis Sanchez - Parish Administrator Janie Vela-Cavazos - Admin. Assistant Mary E. Garza - Bookkeeper Ruben Alvarado - RecepƟonist/Records Veronica Alvarez - Wedding Coordinator Dora Ramos - GiŌ Shop Manager Amelia Nieto-Oce of Advancement Elizabeth Nunez - Housekeeper Sacristan: Marta Figueroa Maintenance: Arturo Bustamante Development: Amelia Nieto, CFRE - ExecuƟve Director

San Fernando Cathedral€¦ · Most Reverend Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S Archbishop of San Antonio San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church Location - 205 Piazza Italia Parish Office

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Page 1: San Fernando Cathedral€¦ · Most Reverend Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S Archbishop of San Antonio San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church Location - 205 Piazza Italia Parish Office

San Fernando Cathedral The Oldest Cathedral Sanctuary in the United States-Founded in 1731

Location– 115 W. Main Plaza

Parish Office Mailing Address - 231 W. Commerce

San Antonio, TX 78205

www.sfcathedral.org

Most Reverend Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S Archbishop of San Antonio

San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church Location - 205 Piazza Italia

Parish Office Mailing Address - P. O. Box 7783

San Antonio, TX 78207

Rector: Very Rev. Victor Valdez

Parochial Vicars: Rev. Prasanna Mese

Rev. Juan Carlos Tejada Rev. Raymond Schuster - In Residence

Deacons: Deacon Joe Marroquin Deacon Julio Garcia III Deacon Victor Cepero

Deacon C. Roger Macias Deacon Ismael Casanova-Re red

Deacon Doroteo Pedroza - Re red

Director of Religious Ed: Lupita Mandujano

Director of Music Ministries: Rick Mc Laughlin

Parish Staff:

Louis Sanchez - Parish Administrator Janie Vela-Cavazos - Admin. Assistant

Mary E. Garza - Bookkeeper Ruben Alvarado - Recep onist/Records Veronica Alvarez - Wedding Coordinator

Dora Ramos - Gi Shop Manager Amelia Nieto-Office of Advancement

Elizabeth Nunez - Housekeeper

Sacristan: Marta Figueroa

Maintenance: Arturo Bustamante

Development: Amelia Nieto, CFRE - Execu ve Director

Page 2: San Fernando Cathedral€¦ · Most Reverend Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S Archbishop of San Antonio San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church Location - 205 Piazza Italia Parish Office

SAN FERNANDO CATHEDRAL SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS DECEMBER 11, 2016

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday/Sabado - 8:00a.m. (Sabatina Español) & 5:00p.m. (English)

Sunday/Domingo - 6:00 a.m (Español), 8:00 a.m. (Español/Televised), 10:00 a.m. (English), 12:00 p.m. (Español), 2:00 p.m. (English), 5:00 p.m.(Bilingual)

Monday/Lunes - Thursday/Jueves - 12:05 p.m. (Bilingual) & 5:30pm (Bilingual) Fri./Viernes - 12:05 p.m. (Bilingual)

Confessions/Confesíones Everyday from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Adoration Every Wednesday from 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Baptism/Bautismos/Marriage/Matrimonio Please contact the Parish Office /Favor de llamar a la Oficina

Office Hours Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

Gift Shop Hours Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm (Lunch 1pm - 2pm) Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm (Lunch 1pm - 2pm) Sunday 8:30am - 3:30pm

Parish office: (210) 227-1297 Fax: (210) 271-0149 Gift Shop: (210) 357-5608 Gift Shop Fax: (210) 223-7854 Development office: (210) 576-1365 Fax: (210) 576-1367

Please pray for those who are sick and in need of healing graces.

John A. Cavazos Josie Castillo Mallory Rayne Salazar Leo Castillo Madelyn R. Salazar Matthew J. Salazar Elva M. Mc Knight Lonnie Cantu Carlos E. Alvarado Yvette Alizadeh Arnulfo Valencia Sandra Villarreal Charles Francis Rufe Elsa Munoz Ramona Bell Judy Cooper Maria Y. Torres Olga Medina Robert Reyes Michael J. Espinoza Jr. Bea Cepero Marivic A. Bonto-Kane John J. Kane Gloria A. Bonto Peter Paul Vincent A. Bonto Carmen Natal Lydia Natal Irene & Glenn Shifflet Sr. Eladio Alvarado Jr Gloria Menchaca Frank De Leon Rylee Ramon Raymond Cosme Ophelia Rios Ghincea Garay Robert Anthony Rios Dolores Moreno Blas Saenz Dianna Hernandez Ray Hernandez Angelita Najara Manolo Lago Louis Martin Gutierrez Jr. Linda Garcia Alcorta Roberto G. Zapata John Cano Phillip Guerra Cruz Contreras Emiliano Aparicio Gasper L. Mendoza Gilbert Perez Ms. Eleanor Quintanilla Irene Gutierrez Armando Solis Fidel & Grace Herrera Maria Regina Vidal Laura Martinez Manuel Castillo Jr. Amy Webber Ella Mae Treat Ty Cline Alfonso Cazarez Joel Rivera Gilbert Rodriguez Robert Hadley Armando Diaz Rodolfo M. Delgado Mario Alberto Casarez Rosalinda Casarez Kimberly Marie Gutierrez Connie Concepcion Winters Ynes Sandoval Trevino Jr. Lewis Gutierrez Sr. Robert & Josephine Martinez Olga Silva Michael Chapa Jr. Crystal Huerta Christen Emery Huerta Manuel Castillo Jr. Samantha Martinez Jeannette Garcia Mr. & Mrs. Medrano Gloria Gonzalez Richard Arredondo Laura Lopez Rodrigo Pepi Camaron Long Dora Ramirez Mario Ramirez Sofie Rodriguez Charles Mendez Jacob Gonzales Cruz R. Soto Amber Jane Soffea Concepcion Vidales Anthony Arevalo Irene Slocum Roxanne Hylton Denise Salcedo Daniel Olivarez JoAnn Howard Nancy Gonzalez Melissa R. Gutierrez Daniel Winters Letty Miorelli Noah Buble Joyce Mc Daniel Luis Hernandez Blair Crowther Andrew Kauffman

If you would like a name to be put on the prayer list or to remain on the prayer list please call the parish office at 210-227-1297 ext. 131 or you may email

[email protected] Thank you!

Parish Organiza ons Mee ng Date Time & Loca on

Hijas de Maria Knights of Columbus 1st Sunday of the Month 2nd Friday of the Month 11:00am - La Sala 6:30pm - San Juan Room

Columbian Squires Finance Council 3rd Sunday of the Month Last Thursday of the Month 3:30pm - San Jose Room 6:00pm - Concepcion Room

Prayer Group Pastoral Council Every Tuesday 2nd Monday of the Month 7:00pm - Concepcion Room 6:30pm - San Juan Room

Guadalupano Society 3rd Saturday of the Month 9:30am - Cathedral Choir Room

San Fernando Pray for us

GIFT SHOP WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAY, DEC. 25TH AND MONDAY,

DECEMBER 26TH.

Page 3: San Fernando Cathedral€¦ · Most Reverend Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S Archbishop of San Antonio San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church Location - 205 Piazza Italia Parish Office

SAN FERNANDO CATHEDRAL SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS DECEMBER 11, 2016

A message from Fr. Victor/Un mensaje de parte de Padre Victor

Third Sunday of Advent-December 11, 2016 Those whom the L has ransomed will return

and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlas ng joy. — Isaiah 35:10a

Page 4: San Fernando Cathedral€¦ · Most Reverend Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S Archbishop of San Antonio San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church Location - 205 Piazza Italia Parish Office

SAN FERNANDO CATHEDRAL SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS DECEMBER 11, 2016

San Fernando Cathedral now provides Online Giving—a convenient and safe way to make a one-time or recurring donation. Getting started is e a s y — j u s t v i s i t o u r w e b s i t e ,[www.catholicearth.com/sfcathedral], and click

our Online Giving link. When you participate, your gift will be se-curely transferred directly into the parish bank account. And you won’t have to remember to write a check or stop by the ATM on Sundays!

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — The barren deserts will rejoice and flower. Tired bodies will receive strength. Aching hearts will be made glad (Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10).

Psalm — Lord, come and save us (Psalm 146).

Second Reading — Be pa ent, for the coming of the Lord is as sure as the rain (James 5:7-10).

Gospel — Tell of what you hear and see: The blind regain their vision, the crippled their movement, the deaf their hearing (Ma hew 11:2-11).

LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura — ¡Estén fuertes, no teman! Su Dios viene a salvarlos. Los redimidos del Señor serán corona-dos con alegría eterna (Isaías 35:1-6a, 10).

Salmo — Ven, Señor, a salvarnos (Salmo 146 [145])

Segunda lectura — Sean también pacientes y valientes porque la venida del Señor está cerca (San ago 5:7-10).

Evangelio — “¿Eres tú el que debe venir o tenemos que esperar a otro?” Jesús les contestó, “Vayan y cuéntenle a Juan lo que han visto y oído” (Mateo 11:2-11).

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712

Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19, 23; Mt 21:28- 32

Wednesday: Is 45: 6b-8, 18, 21b-25; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Lk 7:18b-23

Thursday: Is 54:1-10; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-12a, 13b; Lk 7:24-30

Friday: Is 56:1-3a, 6-8; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 7-8; Jn 5:33-36

Saturday: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4ab, 7-8, 17; Mt 1:1-17

Sunday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Rom 1:1-7; Mt 1:18-24

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Zac 2:14-17 o Apo 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lc 1:26-38 o Lc 1:39-47, o cualquier lectura del Común de Santa María Virgen.

Martes: Sof 3:1-2, 9-13; Sal 34 (33):2-3, 6-7, 17-19, 23; Mt 21:28-32

Miércoles: Is 45: 6b-8, 18, 21b-25; Sal 85 (84):9ab, 10-14; Lc 7:18b-23

Jueves: Is 54:1-10; Sal 30 (29):2, 4-6, 11-12a, 13b; Lc 7:24-30

Viernes: Is 56:1-3a, 6-8; Sal 67 (66):2-3, 5, 7-8; Jn 5:33-36

Sábado: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Sal 72 (71):1-4ab, 7-8, 17; Mt 1:1-17

Domingo: Is 7:10-14; Sal 24 (23):1-6; Rom 1:1-7; Mt 1:18-24

San Fernando Cathedral Knights of Columbus Council #9463

recrui ng New Members

The San Fernando Cathedral Knights of Columbus #9463 is ac vely recrui ng. If you are a Catholic man 18 years of age or older and are interested in joining the Knights, please call or email our Mem-bership Director Jus n Marmolejo at (830) 660-2829 or contact by email at [email protected] or click the “WANT TO JOIN OR GET INFO?” bu on on our website at www.kofc9463.org.

Page 5: San Fernando Cathedral€¦ · Most Reverend Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S Archbishop of San Antonio San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church Location - 205 Piazza Italia Parish Office

SAN FERNANDO CATHEDRAL SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS DECEMBER 11, 2016

HOLIDAY MASS SCHEDULE & EVENTS Thursday, December 8th (Holy Day of Obliga on) Masses 7:00am, 12:00noon & 7:00pm Exposi on of the Blessed Sacrament 8:00pm-1:00am

Sunday, December 11th Masses 6:00am, 8:00am, 10:00am, 12noon, 10:00pm Serenata & 12:00am (midnight Mass) celebrant: Archbishop Gustavo The 2pm Mass will be at the SFC Banquet Hall at 231 W. Commerce & there will be NO 5pm Mass!

Sunday, December 18th Regular Mass Schedule-6am, 8am, 10am, 12pm, 2pm & 5pm La Gran Posada 6:00 pm – Milam Park; prayer service

6:30 pm – depart Milam Park

6:40 pm – Mi Tierra Restaurant.

6:50 pm – KWEX

7:10 pm – Spanish Governor’s Palace

7:20 pm – City Hall

7:40 pm – County Courthouse

8:00 pm – SFC; Prayer service & Christmas music with Mariachi choir

Saturday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) Masses 5pm, 7pm, 11pm(Christmas Carols) followed by Midnight Mass -12am-Celebrants: Archbishop Gustavo & SFC Priests (All Bilingual)

Sunday, December 25th (Christmas Day) Masses 8am, 10am, & 12noon (All Bilingual)

Sunday, January 1, 2017 8am, (Bilingual), 10am (English), 12noon (Spanish) & 2pm (English)

Page 6: San Fernando Cathedral€¦ · Most Reverend Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S Archbishop of San Antonio San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church Location - 205 Piazza Italia Parish Office

SAN FERNANDO CATHEDRAL SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS DECEMBER 11, 2016

Page 7: San Fernando Cathedral€¦ · Most Reverend Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S Archbishop of San Antonio San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church Location - 205 Piazza Italia Parish Office

SAN FERNANDO CATHEDRAL THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 11, 2016

SUNDAY - DECEMBER 11, 2016 6:00 a.m. †Avita Curry, †Sandra Curry & †Lt. G. CC Rogers - Charles Curry

8:00 a.m. Parish Community and Television Viewers

10:00 a.m. †Maria Louisa Martinez - Martinez Family †Mary Jane Garcia - Olivia Martinez & Family †Ms. Ernestina P. Magnon - Ernestina Muzette Felux

12:00 p.m. †Choco Gonzalez Meza - Family, Daniel S. Meza & Alfonso & Norma Gonzales & Family Ernestino & Linda Flores Jr. - Well-being - Homer Valle Familia Alvarez Tostado Godinez - Dr. Roberto Rosas y Familia †Gloria Martinez Lastra & †Aurelio Espada Garrido - Aurelio Espada Martinez

2:00 p.m. †Grace Norlin, †Jose Acosta Torres & †Rev. Joseph Mary Marshall, SM - Jo Ann Norlin †Mark Anthony Rodriguez - Happy 27th Birthday– que paz descance - Mom, Gloria & Family

5:00 p.m. For All Parish Organizations

MONDAY – DECEMBER 12, 2016 12:05 p.m. †Gloria Martinez Lastra - Aurelio Espada Garrido - Aurelio Espada Martinez †Francisca Enriquez - Olga Enriquez †John F. Bukowski - Friends of Mary White The Shandersky Family - Sandra M. Bissmeyer †Aurelio Espada Garrido - Aurelio Espada Martinez 5:30 p.m. For All Men & Women in the Military

TUESDAY - DECEMBER 13, 2016 12:05 p.m †Belia Romo - Louis & Angie Whitestone †Cristobal & Refugia Bazaldua, †Santa Bazaldua & †Eugenio Hernandez - Norma P. Mc Mahan 5:30 p.m. †Isabel Bazaldua Hernandez & †Tommie Bazaldua Erickson - Norma P. Mc Mahan

WEDNESDAY - DECEMBER 14, 2016 12:05 p.m. †Alejandra Jaramillo - Mr. & Mrs. Josh Dominguez †Bruce Koppelman & †Nicolas Politis - Norma P. Mc Mahan

5:30 p.m. †Leopoldo Dimando & †Michael Hernandez - Norma P. Mc Mahan

THURSDAY - DECEMBER 15, 2016 12:05 p.m. †Belia Carranco & †John Carranco - Suzanne Cantu

5:30 p.m. †David Hernandez & †Giomara Bazaldua - Norma P. Mc Mahan

FRIDAY - DECEMBER 16, 2016

12:05 p.m. †Heath W. Vanstone - Norma P. Mc Mahan

SATURDAY - DECEMBER 17, 2016 8:00 a.m. For those sick in the parish community

5:00 p.m. †Arthur C. Reyna - Reyna Family †Melecio & Bernardina De La Garza - Pruneda Family †Antonio Barrientos Banda - Claudia Alejandra †Helga Palmatier - Homer Valle †Arturo Cantu Cantu - Barrera Family

Parish Registration/Forma de Registración Name:_____________________________________________________________ Nombre

Address:___________________________________________________________ Domicilio

Zip Code:_____________________________________________________________ Codigo Postal

Telephone Number:______________________________________________ Número de telefono

Email:______________________________________________________________

Date:______________________________________________________________ Fecha

If you are not receiving envelopes from San Fernando, you are not registered as a parish member. There will be a two month process before receiving envelopes. Please fill out the above form and return it to the Gift Shop to become an official parishioner.

Catholic Chari es, Archdiocese of San Antonio Food Pantry and Wellness Clinic every Friday from 9am - 12:00 noon

at 231 W. Commerce For more information please call 210-377-1133.

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sunday: Third Sunday of Advent

Monday: Our Lady of Guadalupe

Tuesday: St. Lucy

Wednesday: St. John of the Cross

Friday: Las Posadas begins

Page 8: San Fernando Cathedral€¦ · Most Reverend Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S Archbishop of San Antonio San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church Location - 205 Piazza Italia Parish Office

San Francesco Di Paola San Antonio, TX DECEMBER 11, 2016

San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church

Mass Schedule: Saturday 5:30pm (English) Sunday 11:00am (English) Domingo 1:30pm (Español)

Baptisms/Bautismos - Baptism Classes and required documents are needed please contact Ruben Alvarado at 210-227-1297 ext. 128 for more information and dates.

Marriage/Matrimonios & Quinceañera’s - Must be scheduled at least 6 months prior to the wedding or quinceañera date upon availability of the Parish. Paperwork, documents, and requirements must be met before marriage or quinceañera’s are celebrated. Please contact Veronica Alvarez at 210-227-1297 ext. 131

Funerals - Contact Ruben Alvarado at 210-227-1297 ext. 128.

Mass Intentions/Names for Prayer of the Sick- can be made at parish during the weekend mass with the envelopes provided or you may contact the parish office. Mass Intentions should be made at least three weeks in advance if the intentions are to be put into the bulletin.

Location - 205 Piazza Italia/Parish Office Mailing Address - P. O. Box 7783, San Antonio, TX 78207 Office: (210) 227-0548 Fax: (210) 226-5086 Website: www.catholicearth.com/sanfrancescodipaola

Lay Ministry Barbara Bertani Liturgy Committee Jo Ann Scrivano Sick Ministry Rose Marie Pagonis Altar and Rosary Society Cathy Ruffo Aguirre San Francescani Society Ron Bucchi

The Sanctuary Lamp for

December will shine for:

In Memory of †Al La Macchia

& †Ben & Florence Corbo

By: Bobby & Rozana Corbo & Family

Please pray for those who are sick and in need of healing graces/

Por favor oren por los enfermos

Finley De Fossett, Angelina & Ivan Hinojosa, Christopher Jackson Bordano, Luke Bordano, Josephine Garza, Jeff Mc Coy, Alexis Kimberly Garcia, Mariah Chanel Torres, Ralph B. Torres, Leonard & Regina Lee, Loretta Gutierrez, Jorge Faria VanDune, Mariana Gaspar, John Tia, Dolores Pantusa, Tamara Lee Young, Joseph Roberto Moreno, M. del Carmen Sanchez, Mike Casanovan, Adrienna Toscano, Guido Bordano IV, Mario Reyes, Cynthianna Martinez, Lorene Sirianni, Jacqueline Egidio, Kathy Greco, Janie Miller, Frances Ponzio, Sue Forestello, Dolores Lopez, Annie Pantusa, Mr. Joe Garza, Mary Paglia, Sandy Mazzetti, Annie La Macchi, Sammy Greco & Patrick John Meyers

Sunday, DECEMBER 11, 2016 11:00a.m. †Joe Talerico - Hector Garza & Family Altar & Rosary Society for deceased and living members 1:30p.m. Para la comunidad de la Parroquia

Saturday, DECEMBER 17, 2016 5:30p.m. †Vencie Bordano - Jo Ann Huesser

Sunday, DECEMBER 18, 2016 11:00a.m. †Maricella G. Estrada - Henry F. Garcia †In loving memory of Daniel Constanzo Sr. - Family 1:30p.m. Para la comunidad de la Parroquia

Page 9: San Fernando Cathedral€¦ · Most Reverend Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S Archbishop of San Antonio San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church Location - 205 Piazza Italia Parish Office

San Francesco Di Paola San Antonio, TX DECEMBER 11, 2016

Our parish is in need of volunteers to serve in any of the following ministries: Lectors, Eucharis c Ministers, Ministers of Hospitality, Sacristan (Altar set-up person) & Altar Servers to increase our par cipa on of Lay Ministers, we encourage you to join any of these ministries. For informa on, contact Barbara Bertani at (210)493-6921.

The Caritas Corner

The purpose of this “Caritas Corner” is to keep you informed about the results of your generosity and love in action in caring for our brothers and sisters in need in our community. Since the last Caritas Fund report in September, we have helped a 63 year old woman with a multitude of serious medical issues which have kept her out of work for the past six years. When asked how we could best help she said “I would really like to have dental work so I could eat whatever I wanted and be able to smile again.” She cried with appreciation for being a Caritas recipient – the Fund covered her $2,000 dental work. In the spirit of Christmas we helped a homeless family of four (girl 3 & boy 10) who recently moved here from Wisconsin. All four had been living in their car prior to moving into temporary lodging. We’ve assisted in helping them get back on their feet by covering rent -- totaling just under $1500 -- in order to sustain them until the first paychecks arrive from the husband’s and wife’s new call center jobs.

Thank you for your continued generosity during the 2nd Collection normally on the 3rd Sunday of each month which allows us to help our brothers and sisters in need.

Merry Christmas!

San Francescani Society

The Altar & Rosary Society is again asking anyone who would like to donate a poinse a in honor of a loved one to please contact Rose Marie Pagonis at 210-344-4226 or 210-289-9887. The cost of the Poinse a is $12.00.

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION When the es of affec on and authority that bound Europe’s Catholics unraveled in the sixteenth century, many cultures lost me-honored customs of faith. Some customs proved to be especially difficult for the reformers to wrest away from the people, especially those celebrated in the home. This week in Sweden, a country where the Catholic Church was disestablished four hundred years ago, a Catholic martyr from Sicily is the most beloved figure. St. Lucia, Lucy, is celebrated on December 13. The long-story-short is that Lucy was a Chris an whose father wanted to marry her off to a pagan fellow, and she rejected her father’s authority. To make an example of her, her father had her killed. In the course of the brutal martyrdom, Lucy lost her beau ful eyes, but her vision was miraculously restored. The candles worn today by the eld-est daughter of the family are tokens of the fire that refused to harm the saint. So this patroness of light and clear vision is revered on the shortest, darkest days of the Nordic winter. Before the reform of the Gregorian calendar in the sixteenth century, December 13 was the winter sols ce.

Today, young girls appear in the morning wearing lighted candles on their crowned heads (ba ery-operated now a er many mishaps), and serve sweet rolls and coffee to everyone in the house. For the Swedes, who are not churchgoers, the “Lucias” are the official heralds of the holiday season and a sign of everyone’s yearning for more light in this world. Europe once abounded with customs like this; the survival of this custom in Scandinavia is a sign of God’s grace, and how fer le the soil is to receive the true message of Advent.

—Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

THE LOOK OF LOVE

What does love look like?

It has feet to go to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear the

sighs and sorrows of others. —St. Augus ne