. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .			Fr. Charles Puthota
	From the Pastor's Desktop
	A Message from Father Charles Puthota
	December 07, 2025
Dear Parishioners of St. Elizabeth,

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation, Monday, December 8. Masses at 8:30am and 6:00pm: We love, esteem, and honor Mary our mother. We ponder over the mystery of Mary's glory as connected with Advent. Because Jesus was coming into the world, his mother Mary had to be prepared right from the moment of her conception, that is, when Mary was conceived in her mother Anne's womb. Mary was protected from any tainting of sin because she had to give birth to the Son of God, the Savior of the world. This is the belief and conviction at the heart of the celebration of the Immaculate Conception. William Wordsworth celebrates it in his poem "The Virgin": "Mother! whose virgin bosom was uncrost / With the least shade of thought to sin allied; /Woman! above all women glorified, / Our tainted nature's solitary boast…"

Advent: The word "advent" itself means "coming" or "arrival." It is obviously about the coming of Jesus. Remember the words of Jesus before his ascension into heaven: "I'll be with you always." Jesus is with us always. Only we do not see and recognize him. We do not hear and touch him. We can imagine him saying: "You have eyes, but you don't see; have ears, but don't hear." There are many things in life that prevent us from being in touch with Jesus. Our preoccupations and anxieties may leave us with no time or space for Jesus in our lives. That is why the concept of "coming" is very helpful. It has the sense of dynamism built into it. It has the meaning that it is happening in our lives now, in our present situations and circumstances. It's not about the past or the future so much as it is about how Jesus is coming into our lives now, encountering us, calling us, sending us, fulfilling us, and blessing us. As we go about our daily, ordinary lives, how can we prepare ourselves in our minds and hearts for his coming? Or as we face difficult situations such as disease, death in the family, failure, rejection, depression, panic, and all sorts of sad experiences, how can we let Jesus come into our lives today so that he can make a difference and lift us up with his grace and love?

Advent Quotes: "Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus." --- Neal A. Maxwell. "Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, achieves the impossible." "Advent: Arrival, Start, Beginning, Dawn, Initiation, Introduction." "Advent: Close your eyes and open your mind." "Advent: the time to listen for footsteps --- you can't hear footsteps when you're running yourself." --- Bill McKibben. "The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running."---Jan Richardson. "Advent, like its cousin Lent, is a season for prayer and reformation of our hearts."--- Edward Hays.

Word of God, Second Sunday of Advent, Year A: John the Baptist stands at the center of today's liturgy, crying out in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord!" His voice is urgent because God's grace is always breaking into our lives, longing to make all things new. Advent is not passive waiting; it is active readiness. Isaiah's vision of a renewed creation-where justice flourishes and peace reigns-begins with hearts turned back to God. John calls us to repentance not as punishment but as healing. To "prepare the way" means smoothing the rough places in our relationships, clearing the clutter of distractions, and renewing our commitment to prayer. It means letting Christ reorder our priorities so that our lives bear good fruit. As we light the second candle, the flame of peace grows. Let us welcome Christ's coming by opening our hearts to conversion, reconciliation, and the hope that only he can give.

Thanksgiving Day Mass Collection: Thank you for your generous donation of $2,261. I have sent this amount to Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa Sisters), who run "Gift of Love," a hospice care house in Pacifica for men experiencing homelessness and without any resources or family.

Simbang Gabi Masses at 8:30am from Dec. 16 through Dec. 24: As usual, our parish will observe the Simbang Gabi related ceremonies and prayers at the daily Masses at 8:30am nine days before Christmas. I would like to encourage everyone, including the Filipino community, to come together for this beautiful devotional preparation for nine days before Christmas. Please contact Gloria Trinidad, May Devera, and Beth Pasco. Please do let them know how you might like to participate, support, and sponsor Simbang Gabi 2025.

Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe: Friday, December 12 is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patron Saint of the Americas. Please do join the morning Mass at 8:30 a.m. There will be a light Mexican-style breakfast after the Mass. !Que Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe nos mantenga siempre en su amor! May Our Lady of Guadalupe always keep us in her love!

Christmas Mass Schedule: Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24 at 4:30pm.
Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25 at 8:30a.m and 10:30am.

Christmas / Advent Confessions: Saturday, December 20 at 10:30am.

An Advent Wisdom Story: A traveler entered a dark chapel seeking rest. Seeing only one small candle burning, he sighed. An old monk whispered, "That single flame is enough. Stay with it." As the traveler sat, the darkness felt lighter. Lesson: Advent begins with one small light-welcome it, and hope will quietly grow.

Advent Humor: 1. A parishioner said, "I'm trying to wait patiently this Advent." His friend replied, "How's it going?" He sighed, "I'm already impatient for my patience to show up!" 2. A child asked, "Why do we have Advent before Christmas?" The teacher smiled, "To practice waiting." The child groaned, "Can't we just practice opening presents instead?"

Wishing you the blessings of the Advent Season,

Your Friend and Pastor,

Father Charles Puthota