Scriptual Commentary

4th Sunday of Advent – The Gift of Ourselves to Him

| Fr. William Smith

The Annunciation, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, c. 1660, Hermitage

Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the First Reading
Fourth Sunday of Advent
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16
December 20, 2020

Today’s reading from Samuel seems very pious. No doubt David is sincere in his desire to show respect, but the LORD is aware that there is another motive as well. This section is quite subtle and has much to teach us

Let us remember the situation, after Moses, about 1350 BC, the Hebrews were a loose coalition of tribes with similar religious beliefs and a shared dietary code. They desired to be as independent as possible but often needed to unite to fight a common enemy. At this time, they would determine a leader – a war chief – who world organize an army and lead it until they won or lost. This leader was called a judge. This system was like the confederations around them.

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Events, Videos

Community Mass – 3nd Sunday of Advent

| St. Charles Borromeo

Please join us for Mass for the 3nd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) – Sunday, December 13.

  • 9:00 AM EST Sunday Morning Mass celebrated at the Church – not streamed.
  • 11:15 AM EST Community Mass celebrated at the Church and also streamed online and available for playback. Instructions to view the Mass are available here. You can also watch the video via YouTube Live in the window above.

Today’s readings and hymns are available to download here:

December-13Download

Scriptual Commentary

3rd Sunday of Advent – Rejoicing Heartily in the Lord

| St. Charles Borromeo

Our Lady of Guadalupe on the Tilma of Saint Juan Diego
(About this Image)

Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the First Reading
Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 61:1–2A, 10–11
December 13, 2020

Our passage today is again from the third person to use the name Isaiah. The author chose his name very well as he combines the interests and concerns of both of his predecessors.

First Isaiah began his ministry in 742 BC, the year King Uzziah died. This is significant. Uzziah had reigned for 40 years and had greatly increased the GDP of his kingdom. But he did so by favoring and elite and creating prosperity for some by taking the properties of those not connected to the powerful. This was compounded by his successors who made alliances with Assyria requiring the Judeans to pay vast sums in protection money which the rich managed to avoid further impoverishing the peasants. It is clear why in the very first chapter of Isaiah God says to the people:  

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Events

Catholic Charities’ Virtual Christmas Concert

| Mike McGowan

Catholic Charities’ Christmas concert is available for viewing. It features holiday favorites and jazz standards sung by Ulises and Coco accompanied by Sergio or Coco on the piano. You can watch it online at ccbq.org/christmas-concert/watch. It will also be shown on NetTV on December 15th, 7:30 PM; December 18th, 9:00 PM; December 19th, 2:00 PM; December 20th, 3:00 PM; and December 26th, 10:30 AM.

We invite you to join in for uplifting music and to support the vital work of Catholic Charities. This is also your chance if you have been waiting to hear Ulises belt out My Way.

Bulletin

Summary of Christmas Giving Appeals

| St. Charles Borromeo

We sponsor opportunities for us to give in different ways this Christmas season. It’s a busy time of year, so below is a brief summary of our Christmas giving appeals. More details about many of the programs are available below on the website.

  • Toys for Individual Children
    • If you would like to buy toys for a particular child, we will have the names of individual children and what they really want.
    • Email [email protected] to obtain name of child and his/her wish list.
    • Respond by December 8, 2020.
  • Catholic Charities Toy Drive
    • New toys and baby items will be collected will be brought together in a “toy store” for parents to choose which toys they think best for their children. 
    • Bring unwrapped toys in the rear of church (by Wed., Dec. 9), or bring to Custom House on Sat., Dec. 12
    • Respond by December 12, 2020.
  • Volunteer Your Time with Catholic Charities
    • Two ways to participate: (1) Collect from churches and Investors Bank locations during the week of Dec 14; and/or
      (2) Help distribute the toys on Dec. 17/18 (Queens) and Dec. 22 (Brooklyn)
    • (1) Email or call rectory to help with toy collection; (2) Sign up online to help with toy distribution
    • Please respond as soon as possible.
  • Gift Cards for St. Vincent Scholars
    • Gift cards for young people who are cycling out of foster care and likely not receiving any gifts for Christmas this year, and foster children who do not have access to school supplies and learning tools required for remote schooling.
    • Donate online at https://stcharlesbklyn.weshareonline.org/ws/opportunities/StVincentsGiftCards or place a check in the collection box (see details below).
    • Respond by December 13, 2020.
  • Christmas Flower Memorials
  • Christmas Gift to Parish
    • We will ask for your support of our annual Christmas donation that goes to support the activities of St. Charles, and St. Charles only. A particular focus this year will be the increased costs due to the pandemic. The parish has been scrupulous in fulfilling our safety responsibilities during the pandemic, but this has been very costly and will continue longer than anticipated.
    • Donate online at https://stcharlesbklyn.weshareonline.org/ParishChristmasGift or via envelope enclosed with the pastor’s Christmas letter.
    • Respond by December 25, 2020.
  • Christmas Gift to Catholic Charities
    • Churches across our diocese take up a collection for Catholic Charities on Christmas Day. Catholic Charities has been vitally important for so many of our neighbors, particularly during the hardships of this year. We encourage you to contribute generously.
    • Donate online at https://stcharlesbklyn.weshareonline.org/CatholicCharitiesChristmasGift or place a check in the collection box.