I write this column while still on my vacation and I have to admit it is frustrating having all of these deadlines for future columns due to the bulletin publisher’s need to work around holidays such as Thanksgiving. So I write this on November 17th, a full week before Thanksgiving. By the time you read this, Thanksgiving will be over & we will be celebrating the first Sunday (weekend) of Advent. Due to my own sometimes hectic schedule, I prefer to take each day as it comes instead of getting too involved in the future. But perhaps therein lies the message of Advent, at least for the beginning of this season before Christmas. Advent is about preparing for the future, for the time when Christ will come again at the very end of time. And that can be difficult for us to deal with if we like to stay focused on the present. But this joyful (and challenging) season does not tell us to look only into the future without also being present to today. Because what we do today depends on how our future will work out. That can sound a bit confusing, but I believe it’s the message of the gospel we hear today. Jesus speaks about a future time so that he might help us not to be surprised & trapped by that future. He tells us to be aware and to beware (interesting how those words can be separate and yet joined together). We must beware by being aware, we must take heed of the future by being conscious in the present. How do we take heed? By being “vigilant at all times & praying.” This is sounding more like a sermon than an informational column so I’ll stop here before I get too far ahead of myself. But hopefully it will help both you and me alike to better grasp the meaning of Jesus’ words today and of the season of Advent itself.
Did you read the article or see the news about parishioner Armand Venditti? It spoke of him as being a World War II Veteran who turned 101 years old on November 12th! I was hoping to see Armand in church & to recognize his 101st birthday (as I was able to do for his 100th birthday last year) but he is only able to come to church when his health—and the weather—permits. In the article about him (which can be read here: https://fox8.com/news/local-senior-community-celebrates-service-members-including-100-year-old-wwii-vet/), Armand says that there is no secret to living a long life. “Rather, he said there’s values and principles to live by like eliminating stress, staying healthy, being respectful of others and caring for family. To love each other and, of course, the good Lord, I think plays a good part in your life. You’ve got to have that, your faith, your faith will carry you through an awful lot.” Well said, Armand! I am not surprised he mentioned his faith and the “good Lord” as Armand has been a faith-filled parishioner of St. Leo’s for a very long time. He, along with his wife Mary Lou who died a few years ago, were very active members of our parish, and just wonderful people to know. The article mentions how he is now living at Vitalia, a senior living community in Seven Hills. My dad is also living at Vitalia, but the one that is in Strongsville. So let us us wish Armand a happy birthday, thank him for his service to our country, and wish him many more days and years of health and happiness which comes from faith.