Dear Parish Family,

  This Sunday of the last week of Ordinary Time celebrates Christ the King of the Universe. The crowning completion of this liturgical year coincides with the humble beginning of our King with the new liturgical year we celebrate next week with Advent. In my column from last week I mentioned that the readings for this transition become apocalyptic, meaning they 'reveal' or 'unveil' the truth of who we were created to be in this life and eternally. Who would have thought the King of Creation would humble Himself in becoming born a human baby? This revelation of God's great love can be frightening to us if we misunderstand God's intentions and refuse to receive Him as He gives Himself. Embracing the revelation of God's love does mean confronting the gap between who I am and who God made me to be. This confrontation between my subjective desires for how I want to live and the objective ordering for how God made me to live constitutes the drama of our lives, the whole narrative of sin and redemption. The revelation of truth challenges us as it invites us to offer ourselves to Christ the King that He may mold our unique personhood into His own.

  I am always amazed to think how God's truth always embraces us in a personal way as He speaks through creation, the Scriptures, the Church's teaching and Tradition, our conscience, and the communion of saints. Think of how two people can look at the same beautiful scene of nature, work of art, or Scripture passage and come away with diverse but complementary interpretations, how Christ can live His life through two saints who lived very different yet holy lives! Exercising our freedom in conformity to God's truth and goodness brings out the best of God's revelation. Yet, we also are aware that misusing our freedom to manipulate and control reality actually distorts how we are meant to perceive, receive, and live in God's revelation of truth.

  God's revelation of truth is for the good of our salvation as it brings our whole existence back into its natural alignment with God. Revelation of truth is meant to inspire conversion. This requires trust in God because it places us in a position of vulnerability, and often uncomfortability, in order to receive His healing. Without the trust in God that comes from faith, we will necessarily fear the revelation of truth and try to 'protect' ourselves from God's merciful love. In this way, we work against revelation by attempting to 'veil' the truth so it cannot speak to us. Distractions with technology and noise, rationalization of sinful behavior, and blaming others for one's own problems are just a few ways in which we attempt to veil the truth that "I need to change my ways."

  As we end this liturgical year and approach the new year with Advent, I invite you to be aware of how you use your freedom in your daily activities to receive or reject truth. Where do you experience opposition between your will and God's will? What sins and temptations do you still struggle with? What wounds do you still act out on, wounds that you've inflicted on others and wounds that others have inflicted on you? Our freedom and desires are gifts of God which need to be purified by His love in order to be opened fully to receive the healing God brings. Truth heals. I am convicted of this. You and I have nothing to fear in submitting ourselves in complete humility to God for the conversion of our whole personhood. We become more of ourselves, not less, through the process of conversion to Christ. Do not turn away!

  Catholic Campaign for Human Development (November 21): This Sunday we offer our prayers and donations to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development to empower local communities and strengthen the 46.2 million American families living in poverty. You may submit your designated envelope in the regular Sunday collection, or drop off your donation to the parish office this week with the marking or memo "CCHD". Thank you for your generosity!

  We Give Catholic (November 30)
 St. Mary School is excited to participate in #WeGiveCatholic on #GivingTuesday, November 30! Gifts made to St. Mary School will help us raise funds to install a dual-sided digital sign facing North St. to help our parish and school communities welcome newcomers, share info on upcoming events, and spread the Gospel of Christ. Please visit https://www.wegivecatholic.org/ organization/St-Mary-Parish-School to donate and help us reach our goal of $30,000! You may also drop off your cash or check donation at the school or parish office on or before November 30 in an envelope with the marking or memo "WGC" and your family name (unless you would prefer your donation to remain anonymous).

   Happy Thanksgiving! I want to conclude by wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all get to enjoy time with friends, family, and eat lots of good food with much gratitude to God. Be sure to celebrate Mass with us on Thanksgiving morning at 9:00 a.m.. Please know that the parish office will be closed on Thursday and Friday in honor of the holiday weekend. Have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend!