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December 14, 2025 Second Sunday of Advent bulletin - Advent - Isaiah

Dear People of God,

In our reading of Isaiah, you should be around chapter 50 or 55. Next week is very short and you should not leave too much reading to a few days. In this section of Isaiah, we have encountered the Suffering Servant in four passages found in chapters 42, 49, 50 and 52. This Suffering Servant is very Christ-like in that he suffers for his people.
Many of our common descriptions of Jesus come from Isaiah. For instance, Isaiah 42:6 states: “I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind.” This sounds like a prophetic way of speaking about Jesus and it is easy to see how ancient Christians identified Jesus in the Gospels by reading the prophets in the Old Testament. This passage also ties into Isaiah 25:6-8 wherein God says that He will make a banquet for all nations, destroy death forever, and wipe away every tear from their face. This reminds us of all that we receive from Jesus and how He loves us so deeply. He established a new covenant with all peoples including us!
Isaiah 49:1 notes that “the LORD called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.” We see in Matthew and Luke how the Father prepared the way for Jesus and while He was in the womb, it was already known Whom He would be. This verse is also a good reminder of why we are pro-life, because God is pro-life. He knows us in the womb and before we are born, He has already given our life meaning. Lastly, the Suffering Servant is identified as Savior and Redeemer in Is 49:26 in addition to the one who will establish a new covenant in Is 49: 6, 8. Isaiah’s description of Jesus before He was born is very convincing and is a good reminder that our God is truly amazing.

Give thanks to God!
Fr. Samuel Moses Brown

Queridos Pueblos de Dios,

En nuestra lectura de Isaías, deberías estar alrededor del capítulo 50 o 55. La semana que viene es muy corta y no deberías dejar demasiada lectura para unos días. En esta sección de Isaías, hemos encontrado al Siervo Sufriente en cuatro pasajes que se encuentran en los capítulos 42, 49, 50 y 52. Este Siervo Sufriente es muy cristiano en el sentido de que sufre por su pueblo.
Muchas de nuestras descripciones comunes de Jesús provienen de Isaías. Por ejemplo, Isaías 42:6 dice: «Os he dado como pacto al pueblo, luz a las naciones, para abrir los ojos ciegos.» Esto suena como una forma profética de hablar de Jesús y es fácil ver cómo los antiguos cristianos identificaban a Jesús en los Evangelios leyendo los profetas en el Antiguo Testamento. Este pasaje también se relaciona con Isaías 25:6-8, donde Dios dice que hará un banquete para todas las naciones, destruirá la muerte para siempre y secará toda lágrima de su rostro. Esto nos recuerda todo lo que recibimos de Jesús y cuánto nos ama profundamente. ¡Estableció un nuevo pacto con todos los pueblos, incluyéndonos a nosotros!
Isaías 49:1 señala que "el SEÑOR me llamó antes de que naciera, mientras estaba en el vientre de mi madre me nombró." Vemos en Mateo y Lucas cómo el Padre preparó el camino para Jesús y, mientras estaba en el vientre, ya se sabía quién sería. Este versículo también es un buen recordatorio de por qué somos provida, porque Dios es provida. Nos conoce en el vientre y, antes de que nazcamos, ya ha dado sentido a nuestra vida. Por último, el Siervo Sufriente se identifica como Salvador y Redentor en Isaiahs 49:26, además de aquel que establecerá un nuevo pacto en Isaiahs 49:6, 8. La descripción que hace Isaíahs de Jesús antes de que Él naciera es muy convincente y es un buen recordatorio de que nuestro Dios es realmente asombroso.

¡Da gracias a Dios!
Padre, Samuel Moses Brown

December 7, 2025 Second Sunday of Advent bulletin - Advent

Dear People of God,

Happy Advent! We continue in our season of hopeful expectation and grace-filled encounters with our God, knowing that He loves us and wants us to grow closer to Him. This is a great time to ask how any penances have been going so far. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are always good practices, but especially good for us during Lent and Advent. At this second week of Advent, you can reevaluate any spiritual commitments that you made to God and review how you can refocus yourself to accomplish those goals. This is also a good time to go to confession if it has been a while, in particular, if anyone hasn’t gone since Lent, Advent is a good time to come back to that sacrament. The gift of self to God is what He wants from us.

In reading Isaiah, it would be great if you could get through chapter 41 this week which brings us right to the first Suffering Servant Song of which there are four (Is 42, 49, 50, and 52-53). In the section of Isaiah between chapters 20 and 41, we see how God chastises a variety of nations, including His own people. Although some of this reading may seem “boring,” there are some great lines for us to note in which God expresses His will and care for His people: Is 22:22, 25:7-9, 26:4-8, 30:26, and 33:2. God’s people had sinned in a variety of ways. Jeremiah and Ezekiel give us more detail on the sins of God’s people, but they are especially centered around infidelity to the covenant. Most grievously, God’s people keep worshipping other gods for various reasons. At times, they even bring those idols into the Temple. God rebukes them repeatedly which culminated in God sending the Assyrians to His people in chapter 36. King Hezekiah eventually turns to God in supplication and God answers by sending an angel upon the Assyrians to strike them down (Is 37). This scene reminds us of how God similarly used an angel to strike down the Egyptians in Exodus 12.

All of this is a reminder to us that God will work His wonders and grace in our life. We have to believe in Him and grow our faith. In the midst of the business of this season, we remember that we are not put on this earth to shop, party, or decorate; let this Advent be a reminder that we are put on this earth to grow in union with our Creator.

Give thanks to God!
Fr. Samuel Moses Brown

Querido Pueblo de Dios,

¡Feliz Adviento! Continuamos en nuestra temporada de esperanza y encuentros llenos de gracia con nuestro Dios, sabiendo que nos ama y quiere que nos acerquemos más a Él. Este es un buen momento para preguntar cómo han ido hasta ahora las penitencias. La oración, el ayuno y la limosna siempre son buenas prácticas, pero especialmente beneficiosas para nosotros durante la Cuaresma y el Adviento. En esta segunda semana de Adviento, puedes reevaluar cualquier compromiso espiritual que hayas hecho con Dios y revisar cómo puedes reenfocarte para alcanzar esos objetivos. También es un buen momento para ir a confesarse si ha pasado un tiempo; en particular, si alguien no ha ido desde la Cuaresma, el Adviento es un buen tiempo para volver a ese sacramento. El regalo de uno mismo a Dios es lo que Él quiere de nosotros.

Al leer Isaías, sería estupendo si pudieras llegar al capítulo 41 esta semana, lo cual nos lleva directamente al primer Cántico del Siervo Sufriente, del que hay cuatro (Is 42, 49, 50, y 52-53). En la sección de Isaías entre los capítulos 20 y 41, vemos cómo Dios castiga a una variedad de naciones, incluyendo a Su propio pueblo. Aunque parte de esta lectura pueda parecer “aburrida”, hay algunas líneas excelentes para que las notemos, en las que Dios expresa Su voluntad y cuidado por Su pueblo: Is 22:22, 25:7-9, 26:4-8, 30:26 y 33:2. El pueblo de Dios había pecado de diversas maneras. Jeremías y Ezequiel nos dan más detalles sobre los pecados del pueblo de Dios, pero se centran especialmente en la infidelidad al pacto. lo más grave es que el pueblo de Dios sigue adorando a otros dioses por diversas razones. A veces, incluso llevan esos ídolos al Templo. Dios los reprende repetidamente, lo que culmina con Dios enviando a los asirios contra su pueblo en el capítulo 36. El rey Ezequías finalmente se vuelve a Dios en súplica y Dios responde enviando un ángel contra los asirios para derrotarlos (Is 37). Esta escena nos recuerda cómo Dios de manera similar utilizó un ángel para derrotar a los egipcios en Éxodo 12.

Todo esto nos recuerda que Dios obrará Sus maravillas y Su gracia en nuestra vida. Debemos creer en Él y hacer crecer nuestra fe. En medio del ajetreo de esta temporada, recordamos que no hemos sido puestos en esta tierra para comprar, festejar o decorar; que este adviento nos recuerde que hemos sido puestos en esta tierra para crecer en unión con nuestro Creador.

Dale Gracias a Dios,
Rev. Samuel Moses Brown

November 30, 2025 First Sunday of Advent bulletin - Advent

Dear People of God,

We will take a pause in the series on Liturgy as we move through Advent. Though Advent is not Lent, it still should be a season in which we prepare and do penance. We should remember that the Church asks us to fast, to pray, and to give, particularly during Lent and Advent. I think that we should all consider from what we can fast, how we can increase our prayer, and what we can give during this Advent season. As we do these practices, we prepare our heart to receive Jesus anew and to know him in more depth and in greater degree. He desires for us to seek Him and to find Him as a loving Savior who entered into this world meek and mild.

I like to say every year that nothing says Advent like Isaiah. If we commit to reading 3-4 chapters of Isaiah a day we will finish by Christmas. There are 24 days in Advent this year and 66 chapters in Isaiah. If we could read through chapter 19 this week, we would have a very good start. In this section of Isaish, we see some of the most well known prophecies about the coming Messiah, especially Is 7:14. God told us beforehand that His Son would be born of a virgin who would be “God with us” which is what “Emmanuel” means. There is no other person who truly is “God with us” besides Jesus Christ who is God in the flesh. Chapter 11 gives us a grounded understanding of the nature of the Messiah and the future destination that God has in store for his people. He wants us to dwell with Him in a peaceful harmonious existence that is reminiscent of the Garden of Eden and yet different in other ways. This future place is a place of restoration and healing. It is a place in which past hostility has been healed and we can be fully reconciled to God by means of His grace. This grace He gives us always, but especially in these privileged seasons such as Advent when we are invited to grow closer to Him and live our faith more deeply.

Give thanks to God!
Fr. Samuel Moses Brown

Querido Pueblo de Dios,

Haremos una pausa en la serie sobre la Liturgia mientras avanzamos durante el Adviento. Aunque el Adviento no es la Cuaresma, todavía debería ser una temporada en la que nos preparemos y realicemos una penitencia. Debemos recordar que la Iglesia nos pide ayunar, orar y dar, particularmente durante la Cuaresma y el Adviento. Creo que todos deberíamos considerar de qué podemos ayunar, cómo podemos aumentar nuestra oración y qué podemos dar durante esta temporada de Adviento. Al realizar estas prácticas, preparamos nuestro corazón para recibir a Jesús de nuevo y conocerlo con más profundidad y en mayor medida.

Me gusta decir cada año que nada dice Adviento como Isaías. Si nos comprometemos a leer de 3 a 4 capítulos de Isaías al día, terminaremos para Navidad. Este año hay 24 días en Adviento y 66 capítulos en Isaías. Si pudiéramos leer hasta el capítulo 19 esta semana, tendríamos un muy buen comienzo. En esta sección de Isaías, vemos algunas de las profecías más conocidas sobre el Mesías venidero, especialmente Isaías 7:14. Dios nos dijo de antemano que Su Hijo nacería de una virgen y que sería “Dios con nosotros”, que es lo que significa “Emmanuel”. No hay otra persona que verdaderamente sea “Dios con nosotros” además de Jesucristo, quien es Dios encarnado. El capítulo 11 nos ofrece una comprensión sólida de la naturaleza del Mesías y del destino futuro que Dios tiene preparado para su pueblo. Él quiere que habitemos con Él en una existencia pacífica y armoniosa que recuerda al Jardín del Edén y, sin embargo, diferente en otros aspectos. Este lugar futuro es un lugar de restauración y sanación en el que el pasado donde hostilidad ha sido sanada y podemos estar plenamente reconciliados con Dios mediante Su gracia.

Demos gracias a Dios!
Padre Samuel Moses Brown

Please see these bulletins for messages from Fr. Brown in English and en Español:

November 23, 2025 bulletin - Thanksgiving
November 16, 2025 bulletin - Pray for the dead
November 9, 2025 bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

November 2, 2025 Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

October 26, 2025 Twenty Nineth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

October 19, 2025 Twenty Nineth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

October 12, 2025 Twenty Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

October 5, 2025 Twenty Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

September 28, 2025 Twenty Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

September 21, 2025 Twenty Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

September 14, 2025 The Exaltation of the Holy Cross bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

September 7, 2025 Twenty Third Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

August 31, 2025 Twenty Second Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

August 24, 2025 Twenty First Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

August 17, 2025 Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

August 10, 2025 Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

August 3, 2025 Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

July 27, 2025 Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

July 20, 2025 Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy

July 13, 2025 Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Ordinary Time

July 6, 2025 Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - St. John Cassian, Desert Father

June 29, 2025 Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul - Spiritual Awakening

June 22, 2025 Corpus Christi bulletin - Transubstantiation

June 15, 2025 Holy Trinity bulletin - Eight Deadly Thoughts - Vainglory, Pride

June 8, 2025 Pentecost Sunday bulletin - Eight Deadly Thoughts - Sloth

June 1, 2025 Ascension of the Lord bulletin - Eight Deadly Thoughts - Sloth

May 25, 2025 6th Sunday of Easter bulletin - Eight Deadly Thoughts - Anger

May 18, 2025 5th Sunday of Easter bulletin - Eight Deadly Thoughts - Anger

May 11, 2025 4th Sunday of Easter bulletin - The Blessing of Mothers

May 4, 2025 3rd Sunday of Easter bulletin - Acknowledgments for our Holy Week liturgies

April 27, 2025 2nd Sunday of Easter bulletin - The 8 Deadly Thoughts (continued)

April 20, 2025 Easter Sunday bulletin - Easter Sunday Message

April 13, 2025 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord bulletin - Lenten Series VI

April 6, 2025 Fifth Sunday of Lent bulletin - The Eight Deadly thoughts - Lenten Series V

March 23, 2025 Third Sunday of Lent bulletin - The Eight Deadly Thoughts - Lenten Series III - FOOD

March 16, 2025 Second Sunday of Lent bulletin - The Eight Deadly Thoughts - Lenten Series II

March 9, 2025 First Sunday of Lent bulletin - The Eight Deadly Thoughts - Lenten Series I

March 2, 2025 Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Lenten Repentance - Fish Fry

February 23, 2025 Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Lenten Penances

February 16, 2025 Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Marriage Week

February 2, 2025 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord bulletin - Church architectural terms

January 26, 2025 Third Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Jesus’ Baptism - Acknowledgements

January 19, 2025 Second Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Gospel of Luke - St. Patrick’s Gala?

January 12, 2025 The Baptism of the Lord bulletin - New Year’s Resolutions?

January 5, 2025 The Epiphany of the Lord bulletin - Christmas season end? - Jubilee

December 29, 2024 Feast of the Holy Family bulletin - Purple: Royalty + Penance

December 22, 2024 Fourth Sunday of Advent bulletin - Christian Peace

December 15, 2024 Third Sunday of Advent bulletin - Advent Joy + Preparation

December 8, 2024 Second Sunday of Advent bulletin - Advent - Loving Rescue

December 1, 2024 First Sunday of Advent bulletin - New Liturgical Year C - Advent Practices

November 24, 2024 Christ the King bulletin - Give Thanks to God

November 17, 2024 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time bulletin - Prayer + Sacrifice

November 10, 2024 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time bulletin - Penitential Rite

November 3, 2024 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time bulletin - Eucharistic Prayers (cont.)

October 27, 2024 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time bulletin - Eucharistic Prayers

October 20, 2024 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time bulletin - Do you believe? & Eucharistic Prayers

October 13, 2024 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - All Saints’ Day & All Souls’ Day coming

October 6, 2024 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Prepare!

To view previous bulletins, please go to the Weekly Bulletins webpage.

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