Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: December 02, 2018
Advent begins this weekend. Although a short season this year (just a day-and-a-half more than 3 weeks), merchants and media will surely cram a lot of holiday non-essentials into this time. But what of the spiritual essentials of this special time? This is something we ourselves, and each other within our Parish family and the wider Church, have to do.
What are these religious essentials, you ask? Oh, there’s no official list, but 2,000-plus years of Christian faith have made a few things clear. I think the most important thing for each of us, sometimes during the next 3 weeks, is a prayerful reading of the Christmas story in the Bible. These “infancy narratives” of Christ Jesus are found in the first 2 chapters of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. So clear out at least one evening – by yourself, or maybe even better with the children or grandchildren, reading from a Children’s’ Bible! Unplug the television and turn cell phones to silent – although hot chocolate and cookies are certainly allowed! Curl up in a warm and quiet corner. And in an unhurried manner read the Biblical texts (I give you permission to skip the genealogies for now!). Go slow, and be sure to stop and think about what you’re reading, no matter how long it takes. Ask yourself often, carefully and honestly: “What is God asking of me in response to what I’m reading?”
This kind of thing generally bears much fruit. The sincere reader turns into a more grateful person, someone whose prayers are full of “thank you” thoughts and praise to God. He or she also become a more inquisitive person, eager to learn about Jesus and our precious Catholic faith. This kind of Catholic becomes a more committed person who responds generously to the needs of the Church and of others, more active and visible in living out the Faith. This means worshipping at Mass more, of course, and going to confession, and maybe even just visiting the Cathedral occasionally, to kneel down and adore the Lord Jesus present in the tabernacle, or to pray a rosary before the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Who knows?
Advent is always full of the very best music our religious tradition has to offer. Great ways to get into the “spirit of the season” will take place here! First is this afternoon, Sunday, December 2, at 3 pm, when the Baton Rouge Concert Band presents its annual Christmas Concert here. These local musicians provide some of our most favorite holiday music.
The formal Candlelight Concert of the Baton Rouge Magnet High School’s Department of Choral Studies is this Tuesday, December 4, at 7 pm in the Cathedral. If you’ve never been part of this magnificent annual production, you’ve missed a treat. Mr. Robbie Giroir, our own organist and music director, directs over 75 choristers and musicians in one of our area’s finest performances: I heartily urge you to come!
On Thursday, December 6, at 7:30 pm, the Holiday Brass of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra will play in our Cathedral. While this concert is not free, tickets will be sold at the door. This too is a beautiful, inspiring musical event.
On Sunday, December 9, at about 7 pm, the beloved downtown Christmas Choral “Pilgrimage” arrives at the Cathedral. Sponsored by the music departments of Mt. Zion First Baptist, First United Methodist, First Presbyterian, St. James Episcopal and First Baptist churches as well as our own, it’s an evening of easy walking and shared enthusiasm for family and friendship, mixed in with good music and inspiration. If you can walk the whole pilgrimage, it begins at 5:30 pm.
Finally, a musical program will precede our 9 pm Christmas “Mass in the night” on December 24, and the Cathedral Brass will play at all of our Christmas Masses. This is extra encouragement to arrive early for these popular, crowded Masses. Will we see you here?
Sincerely in the coming Christ Child,
Fr. Paul D. Counce
