News - December 2022 RSS Feed

The Empty Crib in Bethlehem – The Heavenly Mystery becomes humanity’s reality . . . Nativity scenes are a popular Advent and Christmas decoration that adorn our homes, our churches and many public squares. And the placing of the Child Jesus in an empty crib becomes a tradition that many anticipate throughout the world. The nativity scene, like the one in silhouette above and on our parish’s ornament gifts for this year, originated with a catholic saint, St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis had a special devotion to the Child Jesus. In about the year 1223, St. Francis was believed to have made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to visit the stable in Bethlehem. It is likely that this event deepened his devotion to the Child Jesus, who was born into the world in such poverty, humility, and simplicity. In fact, St. Francis founded his new religious order to imitate these very virtues (Filz, 2016). St. Francis wanted to bring what he experienced in Israel into every home. And many households which put out the nativity scene, leave the crib empty until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. "Crib" translates the Hebrew word [~'ebhuc] exactly, as it denotes "a barred receptacle for fodder,” food for God’s creatures. The Hebrew word is from a word meaning to feed ('abhac). www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/crib/ But why does our Lord fill the empty crib by seeking shelter in this vessel, in this cave, in this stable, at Bethlehem?  Why is the Divine Infant often seen sleeping and at rest in this hay-filled home? Why is the Little One seen with arms open wide, welcoming the whole world?  God’s plan for His Son is to have Him fill up any emptiness in the world, any area where we need renewal and growth with His love and life – to nourish His creation. Bethlehem meaning House of Bread, is the first home for Our Savior, Who feeds us as He is the Heavenly Response to all our needs. Another saint, Gregory Nyssa (335 to 395), wrote that the Lord rests in a manger, placed in an empty crib because He is the One who makes the grass grow for the cattle; He is the same One who is the Bread Life Who feeds us Spiritual food so we too might live. St. Gregory proclaims -- What more joyful feast is there than that of today? Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!  

Alex Violette, a resident of NYC and music director at St. Finbar Catholic Church in Brooklyn, will be offering a celebration of the Christmas Season featuring our organs and some of his favorite music at the Basilica, St. John’s and at our Oratory of the Sacred Heart in between the Holidays. Join us and listen to the Joyful Song Unto the Lord as we celebrate God’s coming to earth and some light refreshments on the following dates: Tues., Dec. 27--4:00-5:00 pm--Sacred Heart Oratory, Portville; Wed., Dec. 28--5:00-6:00 pm--St. John’s, Olean; Thurs., Dec. 29--6:00-7:00 pm--Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels

“The infant Christ ‘came into our world in a state of great vulnerability. He needed to be defended, protected, cared for and raised by Joseph’ (PC 5). The humble and often hidden carpenter of Nazareth accompanied Mary in her pregnancy, assisted at the birth of the Messiah in a stable, presented Jesus in the Temple, fled with his family far from their homeland to protect them, and lovingly raised Jesus as his own son in the years to come… Joseph’s devotion helps reveal to us our own call to show special care for the lives of those whom God has entrusted to us.” *Excerpts from Patris corde, © 2020, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. All rights reserved. USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities Respect Life Reflection: St. Joseph, Defender of Life

For complete reflection, click on orange title above.

For immediate help with grief support, contact your local clergy for pastoral support and/or local organizations such as: + Life Transition Center, Inc. — 716-836-6460 + Dial 211 and ask for grief and coping resources + Catholic Charities—716-856-4494 www.ccwny.org + Crisis Services—24 hour hotline: 716-834-3131 Click on orange title above for the complete article.

click on orange title for complete reflection

This Advent Season, may we be empty vessels like the empty crib and receive our Lord with minds, bodies and souls, wide open  ….. This Advent Season let [the Lord] enter your life. Welcome Him as a friend, with trust; He is life! Let His birth bring you rebirth! If up until now, you have kept Him at a distance, step forward. He will receive you with open arms. . . . If following Him seems difficult, don't be afraid, trust Him, be confident that He is close to you, He is with you and He will give you the peace you are looking for and the strength to live as He would have you do. Pope Francis

for complete reflection, click on orange title above