“Our Blessed Mother Accompanies Us Through Advent & Christmas” 

Our Blessed Mother is the Patroness of our Cathedral (and therefore by extension of our Diocese) under her title Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  She is also Patroness of the Americas under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  

During the seasons of Advent and Christmas she is with us in many ways. We read about her unique role in salvation history as the Mother of Our Lord in the lectionary readings at Mass. We mark the Solemnity of her Immaculate Conception on December 8 and we celebrate her apparitions at the hill of Tepeyac December 9-12,1531, to St. Juan Diego in what today is known as Mexico City at Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12.

She will be with us in the readings for the Masses of Christmas Eve and Morning and the Feast of the Holy Family and we will mark the Octave of Christmas with the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. 

I invite you to keep her in mind as we move through the Advent and Christmas Seasons. Ask the Blessed Mother to pray for you.  Ask her to help you keep your focus on her Son during these busy days, reflecting as she did on all that was taking place. 

As we prepare to celebrate the truly awesome mystery of the Incarnation, allow the Blessed Mother to accompany you and teach you to cherish the birth of her Son, Jesus Christ.  

 My prayers for a blessed Advent and Christmas, 

+Bishop Peter