I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of food, family, and friends. A few weeks ago, when I was out, I heard my first Christ-
mas song on the radio in one of the stores. I am sure this weekend that all kicked into high gear. Black Friday and all. There is such a
push on gift buying for others and for self, just buy, buy, buy… I wonder how often people over spend at this time of year?? I on the other
hand, I will find myself running around to help with penance services over the next few weeks.

On the Church Calendar, this is the last weekend of the year; next weekend, the 1st Sunday of Avent, starts the new Church Year. We
celebrate ‘Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe’ on this last weekend. I think we can sometimes have a hard time seeing Christ as
a King, since we do not live in a country where we have a King. Yet my own personal view of Christ as a King is one of a King who cares
for his subjects, who takes care of and protects them from harm. Wanting only the best for his subjects. Not the kind of king that makes
all things about them.

Each time we come to these points of change; I am reminded how fast time goes by. Next week as we begin Advent, it is like starting a
fast count down to Christmas. Things get so busy with helping at penance services, that time really does get away from me. I just noted
to a friend that I have 7 penance services to help at the week of December 10-16, this is on top of my normal 8 times in the confessional
before Masses that week. (Note: our parish penance service is December 13th starting at 6:00pm) I will always have someone come up
and ask me why I say ‘yes’ to so many requests. There are a couple of reasons: 1) I know how hard it can be sometimes to get help and
want to be able to help my brother priest. 2) I hope by helping my brother priests, that they may return the favor when I ask them to
help us at St Luke’s. The problem comes when we end up scheduling on the same nights. 3) I love being able to bring people back in
union with God through the sacrament. As much as hearing confessions can take a lot of energy out of you, it can also be very rewarding
at times. When someone comes in very nervous and something I have said or done clearly puts them at ease, it is a gift to me. When
someone leaves feeling more comfortable with going to confession, it is a gift to me. When someone is carrying a heavy load and confess-
es it and leaves feeling better, it is a gift to me. When a young child comes in scared and shaking and relaxes, it is a gift to me. I know I
sometimes overbook myself for penance services, but Advent and Lent come and go so quickly and too many do not think about confes-
sion outside these two seasons.

The gifts I get for Christmas often cannot be wrapped and put under a tree, those gifts of ministry that have eternal rewards. As you
start to work on your gift list, can you see some of the gifts you receive that cannot be wrapped and placed under the tree? Maybe your
family and friends are safely together. So many have lost a loved one this past year and this will be that first Christmas without them.
Maybe having a roof over your head and a safe place to sleep. Many are homeless and when the weather gets cold out it is even harder on
them. If you find yourself a little disappointed with your gift under the tree this year, remember those who have no gift, no tree, and no
roof.

Enter this season of Advent with a spirit of love for one another. Prepare not just for the remembrance of Christ birth so long ago, but
for his second coming. Prepare not just your mind, but your heart and soul as well. May you grow in blessings and in your spirit this
Advent season.

Fr Backer