On the weekend we celebrated the third Sunday of Advent. The third Sunday of Advent was traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday and the rose candle is lit. The word, gaudete, (pronounced gow-day-tay) is from Latin and means Rejoice! The name was given to this Sunday because the entrance antiphon for the day is: ‘Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! We are surrounded by signs that Christmas is coming. It would be impossible for anyone not to be aware of it. So too were the Jewish people as they looked for signs that their Messiah was coming. When they saw the amazing things happening that were foretold, they would know that the time of their salvation was near. 

May the spirit of the Christ Child fill your homes this year. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year.