A few years ago now when I was appointed to the Parish of the Sacred Heart in Accrington for a fortnight (I stay two years) some of us got together a little group that became known as the Advent Preservation Society. It was founded so that we could try and reclaim this holy season that the Church gives us to prepare for the birth of our Saviour.
When we reflect how commercial the approach to Christmas has become Holy Mother Church gives us this time to stop and reflect on the Second Coming of our Saviour. It is in that spirit that the Chaplain of the Society writes a reflection for members. Here are this years thoughts as we enter this time of grace.
A Message from the Chaplain
Reverend Fathers, Brothers, Sisters, Ladies and Gentleman,
Last evening I had a call to
visit someone who was probably in the last few days of her life. As I walked to the house it was cold, dark
and damp. The leaves had fallen from the trees and all around was showing signs
of death and decay. As I entered the
house and approached the bed of the sick person I recalled the a line from one
ouf our Christmas Carols…. ‘down to such a world as this.’
This holy season of Advent is
given to us by Holy Mother
Church
When that will be no one knows
the day or the hour. It could be the 25th
December or it could be at some other time.
Will we be ready or will we be so caught up in the things around us that
we forget the reason why we are celebrating?
Will we return from our late night shopping and get so entangled in the
wrapping paper and the tinsel so that not a prayer is said? It is very tempting to allow ourselves to be
sucked into the ways of the world with its ‘shop till you drop’ mentality and
emphasis on materialism where there is no place for Christ.
As members of the Advent
Preparation Society our task is greater than ever in getting people to
concentrate on the real meaning of the Season and to take time to prepare in
heart and mind so that we may be ready to go even unto Bethlehem and see this
thing that has come to pass.
As this Advent Season begins my
prayer for you all is that it will be a time of grace. At time for us to spend in prayer awaiting
the Advent of our dear Saviour. May the
Lord grant us His graces to be ever watchful and ready for Him. May the Lord
richly bless all your endeavours in the service of His Holy Church and I
commend each and every one of you to the Intercession of Our Blessed Lady who
brought the Christ Child into this world.
May I take this opportunity to
remind members that their annual subscriptions are now due and should be paid
as promptly as possible.
Please also remember in your
prayers the Co-Founder of the Society, Mr Leo Warren and our devoted Vice
Chairman Mr Peter Schofield. May they rest
in peace and rise in glory.
With all the
blessings of Advent
Fr. Francis Wadsworth
Chaplain General
2 comments:
Dear Fr,
Thank You for this thought-provoking Post.
Indeed, what better way to prepare for Christmas than resolute Prayer.
With The Great O Readings not too far away, now, perhaps a Daily Reading of The Breviary would be a good idea ?
Of course, that would mean turning off the TV and coming back from the shops fifteen minutes earlier.
May The Advent Preservation Society prosper and preserve us from Commercialism run riot.
in Domino
I much needed timely reminder.
Thanks Fr Francis.
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