This month is Advent season in which Christian throughout the world prepare for a fuller, richer birth of Jesus.

Advent is a time of expectation, waiting, and hope. During the four weeks before Christmas, we put ourselves back into the mindset of the Jews as they waited for the Messiah two thousand years ago. How can we get in touch with our own hope for the second coming of Our Savior? In what way can we renew our lives? How are we being invited to trust more deeply?

 Advent is letting God’s will be done in our hearts and in our everyday lives. The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, focus particularly on our preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of our Lord (Christmas).

Each morning this month our prayer might get more specific, as we prepare for the day we will face. We can take brief moments to relate our desire for the coming of Our Lord in our lives. Let’s pray for hope in the midst of the darkness in our world.

Each night this month we can look back over the day and give thanks for the light that faithfully pushed back the darkness. Prayer with gratitude is part of the preparation for our growing anticipation and desire. And, we can give thanks for the graces given us to believe that “Our God will come to save us”.

Come, Lord, Jesus. Come and Visit Your People. We Await Your Coming; Come, O, Lord.
- Isaiah 35
 

LIVING COMMUNITY (AP#3)

In line with “Living Community” (3rdPillar), the International Mass is held once a month during 12 noon Mass. It is represented by one ethnic group/community wearing their traditional clothes and doing the second reading in their own language. They sing one of their songs for the Recessional.

On November 19, the Japanese group led the 12 noon mass. The second reading was read in Japanese. Shun, Siera and Nozomi from the Japanese Youth group brought up the paper crane (orizuru) and the gifts of bread and wine during the offertory. Shiori Ann Kimura led the choir in singing “Friends” (フレンズ) with the message in this song; even there’s happy and sad moments in our lives , we are all children of God...friends, let’s share this joy and give thanks ...

At the end of the Mass, everybody got a token origami to take home. It’s a paper crane, handmade one by one, lovingly and prayerfully, by Japanese volunteers. May the origami crane remind us of our journey of Mission 2030 – Living Community, so that we may together continue our effort to build up a community where everyone can feel “this is my home.” Thank you so much for the meaningful and beautiful Eucharistic celebration.
Upcoming Schedule for International Mass:

December 17th – Myanmar Community
For those who would like to be part of these events, please inquire at the English Center.
 

INTERNATIONAL MASS