For the ancient Jewish people, there were three boxes to be ticked in order to prove the authenticity of the expected Messiah. The Messiah would have to come from the royal household of King David, He would establish justice in the land, and He would cause the restoration of the incredible peace found in the original garden of Eden.

Welcome to the Season of Advent, the Season that begins the Liturgical Year of the Church and invites us to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. During this Season, the Church invites us to prepare for the commemoration of the historical birth of Jesus Christ which is marked with the solemn celebration of Christmas, and for the second coming which will take place at the end of time. This is why the theme of preparation runs through the readings of the First Sunday of Advent.

With the celebration of the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe today, we shall bring to a close the Church’s Liturgical Year. When we come to Church next weekend, we will celebrate the First Sunday of Advent which serves the dual purpose of ushering us into the Advent Season and effectively begins a new Liturgical year, Year “A.” The Solemnity of Christ the King was instituted as a feast in the Liturgical calendar by Pope Pius XI in 1925, and in 1970 its observance was moved from October to the last Sunday of Ordinary Time and thus, the end of the Liturgical year.

Concrete was poured at the lower level of the Sanctuary which allowed the mason to begin their work in that area.

The mason continues to progress extremely well. The bell tower is 16 feet away from reaching the top of the tower. In addition, work continues on the south side arches and the north side entry. Also, the Sanctuary area is beginning to rise out of the ground.

It is the penultimate weekend of the Liturgical Year and we know the last few Sundays of every Liturgical year are dedicated to reflections on the four last things: Death, Resurrection, Judgement and Heaven/ Hell. Last weekend we were invited to reflect on the Resurrection and its implications. This weekend, the Readings suggest a solemn consideration of post-Resurrection Judgment.

Concrete has been poured for the elevated cry room and ramp, along with the floor of the Narthex where the footings have been installed. The floor of the choir loft and the stairs have been poured in preparation of the final flooring. Next week the lower Sanctuary is scheduled to be poured, including the ramp to the Sanctuary. The north transept is also scheduled to be poured.

The mason continues with the construction. The bell tower is at a current height of 40 feet, with 34 more feet to be added. The masonary work on the west end to enclose the building will continue as the concrete areas are poured.

We are gradually approaching the end of the Church’s Liturgical Year and so the Readings are beginning to tilt towards explaining the reality of the end of life on earth and what we should expect thereafter. This weekend we are expected to consider the concept of the Resurrection of the dead.

The mason is completing the north expansion for the elevator and the new north restrooms. The tower is scheduled to be topped-off by the end of next week. The west expansion began with the walls of the south transept.

Concrete is scheduled to be poured for the Sacristies, the north transept and the first step of the Sanctuary. When this is completed the mason will continue his work on the west end expansion The second pour will be the steps to the Sanctuary, followed by a third pour for the floor of the Sanctuary.