Letter from the Pastor
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December 6, 2020From the Desk of Father Raaser
Advent is a time of preparation. First, we prepare for the Second Coming of Christ, when all things will be made right, and all things will be restored. Then after December 17th, we prepare for the remembrance of Christ’s first coming at Christmas. Along the way of the four weeks of Advent, we have the “Saints of Advent” to inspire and help us prepare. Today is one of those saints: Saint Nicholas of Myra, aka Santa Claus. Yes, Santa Claus is real and he still exists.
Nicholas was born in the third century in the village of Patara, in modern-day southern Turkey (the area was Greek at the time). His parents were wealthy but they died while he was still young. Nicholas spent his inheritance helping the sick and the poor in his village, and eventually, he was made bishop of that area: Myra.
He lived during the reign of Roman emperor Diocletian, known for his persecution of Christians. Nicholas was imprisoned and exiled at some point of his ministry, and he was present at the Council of Nicaea, where he signed the Nicene Creed.
The most famous legend of Nicholas involves three poor sisters who had no dowry, which meant they were unable to marry (and in fact, would possibly be sold into slavery, as was the custom in those days). One morning, the family woke up to three bags of gold mysteriously waiting for them in their home, allowing the girls to marry. The bishop Nicholas had tossed the bags of gold into their window at night, so as to remain anonymous (and the legend says they even landed in socks drying by the fireplace).
Another legend says when a ship full of wheat made port in his town, he asked the sailors to give half their supply so he could feed the poor, promising they’d still have the same amount. They shared, and as the story goes, the sailors still had the same amount of wheat in their ship by the time they made port in Constantinople.
Overall, he was known for his generosity in the name of Christ by sharing his wealth among those he served, among those who needed it most. St. Nicholas, fed the hungry, brought hope to the imprisoned, gave comfort to the lost, and taught the truth of Jesus Christ to all. It is through his example, that we too are most generous gift-givers at Christmas. And what made St. Nicholas so generous? God who gave us as the very first gift of Christmas: Jesus, His only Son.
St. Nicholas became other figures because of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th Century. In northern Europe, the stories and traditions about St. Nicholas became unpopular. Yet someone had to deliver the presents to children at Christmas, so in England, St. Nicholas became 'Father Christmas' or 'Old Man Christmas', an old character from the story-plays of the Middle Ages. In France, he was known as 'Père Nöel', while in Germany and Austriahe became the 'Christkind' a golden-haired winged baby, who symbolized the baby Jesus.
In our country, his name was 'Kris Kringle' (from the Christkind). Later, Dutch settlers took the old stories of St. Nicholas with them and Kris Kringle and St. Nicholas became 'Sinterklaas' or as we now say 'Santa Claus'! Finally during the Victorian era, St. Nicholas became popular once again when writers, poets and artists rediscovered the old stories about St. Nicholas.
So, today we celebrate Santa, we celebrate St. Nicholas. Be generous today in your time, and in your love.
Our Lady of Fatima Statue
I would like to thank Emma who brought the very beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima to our parish for the month of November. I pray that many graces will be received through Mary’s intercession for us and our parish. Mr. Jose Thedim sculpted the original, historic statue in 1947.
The image of Mary reflects the description of Sr. Lucia, one of the three shepherd children who were privileged to see Our Lady each month from May through October of 1917 in Fatima, Portugal. The statue will be at St. Aedan’s for the month of December
Immaculate Conception this Tuesday
This Tuesday is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The obligation to attend Mass is still suspended by the bishops of the Country, but I do encourage you to attend one of the Masses, if you feel comfortable.
The Noonday Mass will be livestreamed.
The Mass schedule is: Monday, December 7th – 7:00 PM
Tuesday, December 8th – 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 12 Noon and 7:00 PM
