ARTICLE FROM OUR PARISH BULLETIN – DECEMBER 7, 2025

Today in our second reading Paul talks about “Christ Jesus” and the “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” He concludes with the encouraging words, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Paul says a lot about God when he talks about Christ Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. But Paul never uses the term “Trinity.”

While there are hints of a triune God in the Bible, Christians did not start talking about the Trinity until the middle of the second century. An understanding of the Trinity developed when Christians needed to explain the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And so, we have the understanding today that the essence of God is a loving community, three divine persons in eternal relationship with one another. They love each other. They love us, and they invite us to love them and to love one another. Paul seems to understand that God is not interested in condemning, but in encouraging us to live in harmony with one another.

You may be wondering, where is Father Carl going with this?

Each of us is invited to live in harmony and to glorify God. In the words prayed in the Nicene Creed, (1,700 years old this year), we say, “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life… who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.” We are not asked to understand the Trinity perfectly, but to imitate this kind of love and harmony. When we say the Nicene Creed at Mass or if we can take time to reflect on it during this Advent season, it may help unite us as Christians as we continue to work at unification in our parishes, and as we struggle with divisions in our country and in the world.

The challenge for us in 21st century America is to turn off the computer or television, iPad and cell phones, and find joy in people instead of technology. Growth will come as we commit ourselves to doing the hard work of making peace, instead of giving up on others and trusting only in ourselves. Closeness to God will be experienced as we accept the invitation to join the community and unite with the Father. Son and Spirit in hope and joy.

This is why Paul says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This is exactly the kind of relationship that the Nicene Creed invites people to enter, with God and with each other - not just now but for the past 1,700 years. Take time to read the Nicene Creed and reflect on it. You have received a 1,700-year-old invitation and it’s never too late to RSVP.

This weekend we pray for and bless Deacon Kevin Morgan and his wife Marci as they now have a new parish assignment. We thank him for saying yes to the deaconate, and for his faith, dedication, and joy he shared with the Saint Catherine of Siena-Saint Lucy parish. and for the support and encouragement he provided during the unification process with Saint Giles. May the Holy Spirt guide your every step and bless the people you will now serve. Our gratitude and prayers go with you.

Please pick up an Advent Reflection booklet inspired by Pope Francis and Pope Leo. They are available in both English and Spanish. Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and mother to all who are marginalized and oppressed at a special Mass on Friday, December 12 at 6:30 PM at Saint Edmund Church.

A blessed second week of Advent.

With you a Christian. For you, a priest.

Fr. Carl Morello
Pastor
Ascension and St. Edmund Parish
St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish