"It is never too late to . . ." is a statement that can be completed by many people.  Zechariah and Elizabeth found that it was not too late for them to have a child, as John the Baptist was born to them at an advanced age.  It was not too late for Jack Sidler either, as he was ordained a priest for our Diocese this weekend at the age of 70. The character Scrooge found out that it was not too late for him to have a major conversion experience and become a happy, generous person. It is almost never too late for our retired diocesan priests to offer themselves to us in substitute ministry or in prayers offered for the flocks they have served over the years.  We have a chance to support these priests in their retirement, as well as supporting the needs of our sick and infirmed priests of our Diocese, through the only collection taken up at all the Christmas Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

We can also contribute in another way by helping get the word to Catholics who have been away from the practice of their faith, that it is never too late for them to come back to the graces and blessings that come from God through His Church.  Perhaps an encouragement for them to join you at one of our Christmas Masses (December 24 at 4:00 p.m., December 25 at midnight or December 25 at 10:00 a.m.) would be a start.

This year we are going to give, as a free gift to those who will read it, a book by Matthew Kelly entitled, "Rediscover Catholicism." It is for those who have been away from the faith, as well as those who have been practicing their Catholic faith in a renewed way. (Please be prepared to take one if you truly intend to read it.) You may find yourself, at some point, saying that "it's not too late for you to do something for the Lord that you've never done before, and rejoicing in that opportunity.

Someone, after hearing about John The Baptist's ministry and call to repentance for a second Sunday might wonder why the Church give us a "double-dose" of John for two Sundays of Advent in a row.  Perhaps the fact that the Church encourages a pastor to offer a communal reconciliation service, with opportunity for individual reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation, during Advent and preferably the last part of Advent, is the answer.  It is hoped that if you didn't "hear" John the Baptist's call to repent, which includes turning away from and leaving behind our sinful ways on the Second Sunday of Advent, maybe we hear him this weekend and are ready to heed the call in the last 10 days of Advent to prepare a straight path in our hearts and lives for the Lord.  We will have our Advent Reconciliation Service THIS Wednesday, December 17, at 2:00 p.m. with priests available for individual confessions.

As many people clear their houses in days before Christmas in preparation to welcome guests at Christmas time, I pray that you will take even more seriously, the call of John to clean the homes of our hearts and make them ready for the most important Christmas guest, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  If you can't join us that day, remember I have additional opportunities for Confession before Christmas.  These will be Tuesday, December 16 and 23, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 24, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.  I will not be offering the Sacrament on Saturday morning, December 20, as I plan to attend the ordination of Jack Sidler at Subiaco that morning.

I write this pastor's column on "Giving Tuesday."  While I don't know much about it, I applaud any effort that encourages people to give of their time, talent, and/or treasure for people in need.

We are preparing, during the Advent season, for the annual celebration of the greatest gift God gave to all of humanity in need, that of Himself in the person of Jesus Christ.  Among the many blessings He was, is and always will be, is His generous spirit which has been contagious for over two thousand years.  As I see that spirit alive and working in so many generous people in this church community, I pray that more will catch this spirit and be giving in so many ways on Tuesday, Wednesday, and every day of the week.

We are concluding another Angel Tree effort, and many children will certainly benefit from those who took angels from the tree.  If you did not do this, I invite you in the next few weeks, to bring toys and games (unwrapped), and put them in the designated box in the narthex or the hallway leading to our Education and Administration wing.  These will be given to needy children in Garland County through the Jackson House in Hot Springs.

I also want to thank those who contributed thoughtfully and generously to the special collection this weekend for the Retired Religious Fund.  If you forgot to bring a contribution this weekend, please bring it next weekend, or mail it to the Church office.  Please make all checks payable to Sacred Heart Church, writing, "Retired Religious Fund" on the memo line or on the envelope.  Many brothers and sisters in religious orders throughout the country who were generous to so many for so many years, will be the beneficiaries of our generosity to them.

God bless all of you who truly believe that it is better to give than to receive.