Third Sunday of Advent

Third Week of Advent - Gaudete Sunday - Rejoice!!

The anticipation of Christmas is in the air at our Academy! Our 230 students and 32 teachers and aides are filled with excitement as we prepare the way of the Lord. Last Friday, we set aside our usual routine for a full-day Advent Retreat. Organized by our Mission and Catholic Identity Committee, the retreat focused on the four themes symbolized by the Advent wreath: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Through various activities, students deepened their understanding of the good news of Christ’s coming and how to prepare their hearts as a home and manger for Christ.

As the largest pastoral ministry of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the Academy is blessed with a dedicated faculty and staff. They are committed to our mission of preparing students for academic success and forming them as disciples of Christ for life. Each teacher nurtures their own relationship with Christ, enabling them to guide our students closer to the Lord. Please continue to pray for our teachers as they fulfill their vocation to serve our community’s children.  

Children are the source of so much joy during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Their innocence and excitement can help us to remember the many gifts we are offered each day: the gift of salvation, the sacramental life, and the blessing of being part of a worshipping community.

As we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, we are called and reminded to “Rejoice always,” to be kind, and to let go of anxiety. How? Through prayer, petition, and thanksgiving. These lead us to true hope, peace, and joy. Just like children eagerly awaiting Christmas morning, we too can embrace the peace and joy of knowing that Christ is coming, has come, and will come again.

We are a pilgrim people, strengthened by faith to remain steadfast through the trials of life because we know that darkness is not the end of the story. The light of Christ is coming, and even now, we can rejoice!

~Sr. Grace Ford, Er. Dio.