Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday

Third Sunday of Advent
Gaudete Sunday

The Catholic Church celebrates two “joyful” Sundays: today, the third Sunday of Advent or Guadete, Latin for “rejoice” and the fourth Sunday of Lent or Laetare, also Latin for “rejoice.”

The last time I wrote a blog about Gaudete Sunday it was right after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut in 2012.  As I write this blog post my thoughts go to the mass shootings of Paris, France and San Bernardino, California, making it difficult to find joy this Gaudete Sunday. But with "God all things are possible."  (Matthew 19:26) Please continue to pray for our world, our nation, and all those who were affected in any way by tragedy, - that God will give us peace, guidance and comfort during this period of mourning.

Then take a moment to thank God for all that He provides us - His goodness, His mercy, His love, His hope and yes, His joy.

Watch as 100 people from
Valles Symphony Orchestra,
The Lieder, Amics de l'Opera and The
Coral Belles Arts Choir perform
part of Beethoven's Ninth, Ode to Joy
and simply "Shout for joy to the Lord." Psalm 98:4