Dear Parish Bulletin Reps: December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, which is celebrated this year on December 9. The Holy Father’s Intentions for the Month of December, 2020: For a life of prayer. We pray that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be nourished by the Word of God and a life of prayer. Feasts for December: Frances Xavier (12/3), Ambrose (12/7), Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (12/8), Juan Diego (USA) (12/9), Our Lady of Guadalupe (12/12), John of the Cross (12/14), Peter Canisius (12/21), Christmas (12/25), Stephen (12/26), Holy Family (12/27), Holy Innocents (12/28), Thomas Becket (12/29), Sylvester I (12/31). “Always stay close to our Heavenly Mother because she is the sea to be crossed to reach the shores of Eternal Splendor.” ~ St. Padre Pio.
The month of December is filled with expectation and celebration. Preparation is the key word for the first 24 days of December. Christmas is a Christian feast, and we must reclaim it as such. In the same way that a family eagerly prepares for a baby, so in Advent we should prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. We should keep Advent as a season of waiting and longing, of conversion, and of hope, and keep our thoughts on the incredible love and humility of our God in taking on the flesh of the Virgin Mary. Let us not forget to prepare a peaceful place in our hearts wherein our Savior may come to dwell. The best person we can turn to for help during Advent is Mary, Christ’s and our Mother. She awaited the day of His birth with more eagerness than any other human being. Her preparation was complete in every respect. Let’s crown our preparation and borrow something of Mary’s prayerfulness, her purity and whole-hearted submission to God’s will. “Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother.” St. Padre Pio.
This month of ‘thanksgiving’, let us pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Protectress of the Americas, for peace, healing, hope, ‘amor’ within our hearts, families, nation, world.
May we respectfully request that you continue your active support of the monthly Padre Pio Prayer Group gatherings by inserting the following invitation in your parish bulletin, “Join our Padre Pio Prayer Group (PPPG-CK) each second Saturday (12/12/2020 – Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe) monthly for the 8:00 AM Mass, Rosary, Discussion, Adoration @ Christ the King Church (NARTHAX), 4100 Harvest Lane, Toledo, OH 43623. Access ‘www.pppg.org‘ for info. Contact Magdalena Skiles (419.356.4208) or email ‘magdalena@magdalenaskiles.com‘.
Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas)!
Gracias.
In the spirit of St. Padre Pio,
