Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent, we are reminded that we are partners in spreading the Gospel message among those we encounter in our daily life. We need to do it joyfully because the good news of God’s love for us should make us joyful and happy. I assure you with the words of St. Paul: “I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you (…) I am confident that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:3-4.6). 

The author of the Gospel of Luke situated the call of John Baptist in a historical context, at a specific time and place, saying that the word of God came to John in the desert in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar.

It was not easy to determine what “the 15th year” was for a few reasons. First, Tiberius had been coregent with Augustus until the latter died. The major Roman historians calculate the time of Tiberius’ rule from AD 14. There were also several calendars in use in the Mediterranean world in the 1st century AD. For example: the Julian calendar placed New Year’s Day on January 1. The Jewish calendar started with the 1st of Nisan, occurring in March or April. The Egyptian calendar began on August 29 and the Syrian-Macedonian calendar began on October 1. We don’t know which of these calendars Luke used. Today it is said that it was 28 AD. The same year, John baptized Jesus in the river Jordan. Bible scholars have no doubt that Luke had the right intention to provide the believers with precise chronological information.

Pontus Pilate was a Roman prefect of Judaea from 26-36AD. Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great was the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea from 4BC-39AD and his brother Philip, tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis from 4BC-34AD. Nothing is known about Lysanias. Last but not least, Caiaphas was a high priest from 18-36 AD.

Like John the Baptist, the precursor of Christ, we are to prepare the way for the Lord, so others who see how we care for each other and the natural world, would know that Christ dwells among us. 
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I signed the contract to pave the long neglected parking lot. The diocese approved the project. Yeah! Now everything is in the hands of the contractor and cooperation of the weather. We might have to wait until next year for warmer temperatures.

Thank you Pat Durham and the hens for eggs from your farm. One does not know the difference between store bought eggs or raised in one’s coop till one tastes them.

See you at the party this Sunday. It will be fun to get together to enjoy each other’s company and savor good food.

Fondly,
Fr. Ryszard

Queridos hermanos y hermanas:

Al celebrar el segundo domingo de Adviento, se nos recuerda que somos socios en la difusión del mensaje del Evangelio entre aquellos que encontramos en nuestra vida diaria. Necesitamos hacerlo con gozo porque las buenas nuevas del amor de Dios por nosotros deberían hacernos gozosos y felices. Os lo aseguro con las palabras de San Pablo: “Doy gracias a mi Dios por cada recuerdo de vosotros, rezando siempre con alegría en cada una de mis oraciones por todos vosotros (…) Confío en que el que empezó una buena obra en vosotros continuaréis cumpliéndola hasta el día de Cristo Jesús ”(Filipenses 1: 3-4.6).

El autor del Evangelio de Lucas situó el llamado de Juan Bautista en un contexto histórico, en un momento y lugar específicos, diciendo que la palabra de Dios le llegó a Juan en el desierto en el año quince del reinado de Tiberio César. No fue fácil determinar qué era "el decimoquinto año" por algunas razones. Primero, Tiberio había sido co-regente con Augusto hasta que éste murió. Los principales historiadores Romanos calculan la época del reinado de Tiberio a partir del 14 d. C. También había varios calendarios en uso en el mundo mediterráneo en el siglo I d. C. Por ejemplo: el calendario Juliano colocó el día de Año Nuevo el 1 de Enero. El calendario Judío comenzó con el 1 de Nisán, en Marzo o Abril. El calendario Egipcio comenzó el 29 de Agosto y el calendario Sirio-Macedonio comenzó el 1 de Octubre. No sabemos cuál de
estos calendarios usó Lucas. Hoy se dice que fue el 28 d.C. El mismo año, Juan bautizó a Jesús en el
río Jordán. Los eruditos bíblicos no tienen ninguna duda de que Lucas tenía la intención correcta de
proporcionar a los creyentes información cronológica precisa.

Poncio Pilato fue un prefecto Romano de Judea del 26 al 36 d.C. Herodes Antipas, el hijo de Herodes el
Grande era el tetrarca de Galilea y Perea de 4 a.C.-39 d.C. y su hermano Felipe, tetrarca de Iturea y
Traconitis de 4 a.C.-34 a.C. No se sabe nada sobre Lysanias. Por último, pero no menos importante,
Caifás fue un sumo sacerdote entre el 18 y el 36 d.C. Como Juan el Bautista, el precursor de Cristo, debemos preparar el camino para el Señor, para que otros que vean cómo nos cuidamos unos a otros y al mundo natural, sepan que Cristo habita entre nosotros.
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Firmé el contrato para pavimentar el estacionamiento abandonado durante mucho tiempo. La diócesis aprobó el proyecto. ¡Sí! Ahora todo está en manos del contratista y la cooperación del clima. Es posible que tengamos que esperar hasta el próximo año para temperaturas más cálidas.

Gracias Pat Durham y las gallinas por los huevos de su granja. Uno no sabe la diferencia entre huevos
comprados en la tienda o criados en el gallinero hasta que uno los prueba.

Nos vemos en la fiesta de este domingo. Será divertido reunirse para disfrutar de la compañía del otro
y saborear una comida sabrosa.

Afectuosamente,

P. Ryszard 

December 5 -- Middle and High School Sunday

December 12 -- Elementary Grades Sunday

December 19 -- Middle and High School Sunday

January 9 -- Elementary Grades Sunday

January 16 -- Middle and High School Sunday

January 22 -- First Eucharist Retreat -- Year 2 Group

January 23 -- Elementary Grades Sunday

January 30 -- Middle and High School Sunday

Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama will be present on Saturday morning, October 30 at 10:30 to celebrate Mass and administer the Sacrament of Confirmation on our high school aged candidates who have been preparing for 2 years, as well as the candidates from St. Mildred in Swansboro.

UNTIL FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS ARE RECEIVED FROM THE DIOCESE, HOLY COMMUNION WILL NOT BE ADMINISTERED ON THE TONGUE!!!

We are in the process of updating our parish census. We are asking all member families to click on the link below which will take them to a census form where you can make changes in your family listing in our parish directory, ie, address, emails, phone changes, additional children (or removing children who no longer live here, etc. Please do this as soon as possible.

Parish Census Form

Please take a moment to complete the parish registration form by clicking on the link below:

Parish Registration Form

The New Bern Regional Office of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh is offering NEW programs to service our communities:

Senior Pharmacy -- For qualified seniors -- Assistance paying for: Medications related to Chronic Health Conditions; Limited Medical Supplies; and Health Topic Information.

Emergency Assistance -- Emergency Rent or Utility Assistance; Case Management; Job Search and Budgeting

Disaster Assistance -- When Available: Emergency Rent or Utility Assistance; Home Repair; Case Management

502 Middle Street, New Bern 28560

252-638-2188

Hours: Mon-Thurs, 8:30 AM -12 Noon; 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Donate Now at http://www.catholiccharitiesraleigh.org/donate and Select ``Direct Your Gift: New Bern Deanery

www.catholiccharitiesraleigh.org/locations/new-bern

Providing Help -- Creating Hope -- Serving All

You can now make your offertory donations online by using the link below.

Access Online Giving