Dear Brothers and Sisters, On this third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) the church invites us to rejoice and prepare ourselves for the coming of the Savior. Gaudete means rejoice and the texts of the Mass are filled with the expressions of joy and jubilation. Today’s readings are a continuation of our preparation for the coming of the Lord Jesus. This truth can be perceived three different ways: It commemorates the Incarnation of God on Earth through the birth of Christ; it represents our appearing before the Lord at the end of this life; and it represents the final coming of the Lord in full glory at the end of times. The readings tell us that Christian joy is deep in the heart and is a gift from God to those whom He has specially chosen. It is, as Jesus says the gift which He personally gives and it is something that no one can take away from us. The problem is that we often identify our happiness with people or things that we don’t have, and perhaps can’t have. However, with Jesus, joy is spiritual and a blessing that He gives us. Today’s Gospel speaks of His expected coming. This coming is being proclaimed by John the Baptist as he preaches by the waters of the River Jordan. The preaching of John is directed to the crowds rather than to the Scribes and the Pharisees. His message has been one of radical change, a call to repentance, in the face of the coming of the Messiah. After having heard what John had to say, the crowd wants to know what repentance requires. Contrary to what might have been expected, John does not want the

people to abandon their current lives or flee the world and embrace the strict form of asceticism. Instead, he asks them to reshape their character and behavior through adhering to God’s call for justice within their current social structure. John confronts three groups of people: the ordinary people, tax collectors and soldiers. The ordinary people are to share their clothing and food with those who do not have; tax collectors are to stop extortion and stop cheating the people, and the soldiers are to carry out their duties in a fair way and be content with their pay. Repentance is not just regret for the past but it is more importantly the shaping of a future, just life. John does not suggest anything extraordinary. After hearing such wise and sensible teaching, the people were beginning to wonder if John was not actually the Messiah himself. The theme of his preaching was change of heart. He called them to turn to God and to things spiritual and forget every ambition they would have had, be it political or social. His call was to free them from their shortcomings and weaknesses and thus bring them to God. The words of John the Baptist are very much alive even today. We are very much like the audience of his time. They asked him what they must do in order to change and enter into the divine life. We have the answer from John and Jesus that we ought to change our lives. Our world today is full of injustices and sadly Christian countries who profess to be followers of Christ have gone far into the abyss of secularism. We are invited to profess our faith in the presence of God and become new evangelizers in the world by highlighting the Church’s fundamental mission of mercy. John announced in his days to prepare the way of the Lord and await the long promised Messiah. The image in the Old Testament of cleansing and purifying is given to us even today. Let us pray that God grant us the grace to change ourselves and listen to His message that we may be His instruments in the proclamation of the Word. May God bless you, Monsignor Hurley

DECEMBER 16, 2018 THIRD SUNDAY

OF ADVENT

THE GIVING TREE Thank you for your generosity to the patients at Delaware Psychiatric Center and for your continued support in this project. 150th ANNIVERSARY BOOKS FOR SALE Two history books, “Rejoicing in the Lord,” and “Family of Faith” have been published to help commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. “Rejoicing in the Lord” is a hard-cover, 336-page, full-color, glossy 10 inch by 10 inch book that features histories and photographs of all Catholic churches in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, plus biographies of all nine Wilmington bishops, with important ministries and events highlights. “Family of Faith” is a 35-page, color diocesan history done in the comic book or graphic novel style that would appeal to middle schoolers and teens. Both books are published by the French company, Éditions du Signe. See the display in church and the center break or visit www.sainttom.org for more information. ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY It’s the time of the year that we all are looking to purchase gifts for family and friends. Unfortunately, there are many out there that can’t even provide the basic comforts of a roof over their head, basic heating, electric or water to drink. This is where Saint Vincent DePaul Society comes to help those who request financial help. So, after all the presents are bought and you have a few spare dollars, please consider us. Drop your donation in an envelope marked Saint Vincent DePaul in the collection basket. We assist requests in the St. Thomas parish area. If you need financial assistance, call the rectory and follow the prompts to leave a message, a representative will contact you.

GOD IS ON THE AIR Listen to Catholic Forum every Sunday morning at its new time - 6:05 a.m. on WDEL 101.7 FM, 1150 AM and www.wdel.com. After it airs, listen online anytime at www.cdow.org/Catholic-Forum, or search “Catholic Forum” on Apple, Spotify, or iHeartRadio podcasts. Next Sunday, December 23rd, tune in for the final installment in Fr. Rich Jasper’s Advent series, plus, Bishop Malooly’s annual Christmas message to the people of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. For photos, information regarding upcoming guests, links and more, “Like” Catholic Forum on Facebook at www.facebook.com/catholicforum. SAVE THE DATE! Chocolate Lover’s Night Mark your calendar now! Saturday Jan.19th at 6PM in the Workshop. More information to come.

MASS INTENTIONS

Monday, December 17

6:00pm – George Coburn

Tuesday, December 18 8:00am – Helen Lee

Wednesday, December 19 8:00am – Rossi and Robino

Familes

Thursday, December 20 8:00am – James C. Skilling

Saturday, December 22

5:00pm – Mass for the People

Sunday, December 23 8:00am – Frances Brennan 10:00 am – George Rash

LAST WEEKEND’S OFFERTORY

$4,779.00 Thank you for your generosity

VOCATION REFLECTION Through the prophet Zephaniah, God says “Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The Lord is in your midst!” Priests and religious sisters and brothers spend their lives helping other people recognize God in their midst. Are you ready to join them in their mission? Call or write Fr. Norm Carroll, Diocesan Director of Priestly and Religious Vocations (302-573-3113; vocations@cdow.org). And check out our website: www.cdow.org/vocations! MARRIAGE AND FAMILY Marriage Moments: Sometimes pressure preparing for Christmas can blind us to what's really important. Start by remembering that Christ lives in your beloved. Pause. Take time to rejoice in each other today. Parenting Pointers: As your family prepares Christmas gifts for each other, this is a good time to discuss with your child how to share their older but still good toys, clothes, etc. THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Baptism Preparation Classes will be held on Sunday following the 10:00am Mass. The next class will take place Sunday, January 6, in the church. Do both parents have to attend the class? No, only one parent must attend, but it is highly encouraged that both do. Godparents are invited and encouraged to attend also. Please call the Parish Office to register. ST. VINCENT dePAUL SOCIETY It’s the time of the year that we all are looking to purchase gifts for family and friends. Unfortunately, there are many out there that can’t even provide the basic comforts of a roof over their head, basic heating, electric or water to drink. This is where Saint Vincent dePaul Society comes to help those who request financial help. So, after all the presents are bought and you have a few spare dollars, please consider us. Drop your donation in an envelope marked Saint Vincent dePaul in the collection basket. We assist requests in the St. Thomas

parish area. If you need financial assistance, call the rectory and follow the prompts to leave a message, a representative will contact you. RETROUVAILLE Retrouvaille is a peer ministry of volunteer couples who can help a couple re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together, just as they have done in their own marriages. Retrouvaille can help heal a marriage, as it has for tens of thousands of couples throughout the world. The next program begins on the weekend of February 8-10 at the Family Life Center in Malvern, PA. Additional weekends will be held in April and August. For more information, or to register for one of our weekends, visit our web site at: www.HelpOurMarriage.org or call 1-800-470-2230. All inquiries are kept strictly confidential. THE "O ANTIPHONS" OF ADVENT The Roman Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of evening prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative "Come!" embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah. CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE December 24 – 4pm & 6pm December 25 - 8am & 10am No daily Masses on December 26, 27, and 28.