Feast Day Masses

Second Sunday Advent 2024 - Pastoral Letter (12/08)

Traditionally, we associate this Sunday, in the liturgical calendar, with peace. That call for peace is reflected in the lighting of the second Advent candle -

"Peace Candle Prayer

God of peace, during this Advent season, keep us from getting caught up in the busyness and chaos of the world around us. Help us to slow down, so that we may find rest in the Prince of Peace, your son, Jesus Christ. As we prepare for his coming, make us instruments of your peace in our homes, in our schools, in our work and in our world. Amen"

(From Prince of Peace Parish, ME @ https://princeofpeace.me/.../2nd-week-of-advent-2024....)

In the Gospel for today, John the Baptist calls for a baptism of repentance, which many times is associated with the "fire and brimstone" version of Scripture (particularly the Old Testament). But, while a valid interpretation of it, for some, that view misses the essence of the message (at least those of us in the independent movement) - namely, "sin" is separation from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Baptism is a sacrament that brings us back into unity with Him. That, my friends, is the essence of peace.

"John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,

proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,

as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:

'A voice of one crying out in the desert:

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.

Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"

Luke 3:1-6

So, as Advent proceeds, and we prepare for the arrival of the Messiah, focus on reuniting with your (our) Lord through meditation, prayer, reflection, and - yes - reform your actions, intentions, and thoughts along the lines of peace.

May the peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, come upon you, your family, friends, and all of us, this Christmas season. May it continue with you the coming months and years. Amen.

+ Fidel

LSCC (and its mission parishes and Benedictines of the Living Spirit)

PASTORAL LETTER ON MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN DYING (MAID) - 09/17/2025

Statement on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) -

All of us in the independent sacramental movement (Catholic / Old Catholic) value all of life as part of God's creation. We also recognize, and respect, His divinely gifted free will to all of us mere mortals. Thus, individual conscience is a cornerstone of our beliefs, practices and worship. Our churches, and their clergy and members, understand that, ultimately, the issue of medical assistance in dying (MAID) is a complex one - ethically, legally, morally, and religiously. It is that very complexity that necessitates a competent, and voluntary, decision - based on plenary communications amongst a patient, the presiding doctors, a mental health practioner if needed, and certainly clergy and lawyers - on the part of our brothers and sisters in Christ when seeking this assistance during the end-of-life transition to eternity that all of us will encounter in one way or another. What is even more certain is that this need for informed adult consent based on these, hopefully, available resources to those dying, especially the terminally ill, many of whom suffer terribly at the end, is our wish for those undergoing such struggles before they join Him in the hereinafter. The Messiah give us the gift of grace, then expects us to use it responsibly, as divine creatures part of His creation, for good. Our free will is the anchor for such decision making. Medically assisted dying, at least as framed in the version presently before Caesar, in Florida, allows for this respect for creation, for life itself, in that it enshrines the informed consent, advised by not only doctors, and the like, but even by faith leaders of myriad faiths. And, most importantly, it leaves open the door for an intimate dialogue between a follower (or not) of Christ and her / his creator. The rest of us should be respectful of this dialogue.

Remember His words -

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16, KJV

And we pray that the Prince of Peace impart peace, and grace, on the terminally ill, and their family, friends, doctors, faith leaders, and Caesar, in Florida, so essential to the exercise of their God-given free will in reaching their decision as not only an end to suffering, but an opening of the door to a loving reunion with their Maker.

For these reasons, we support MAID in Florida.1

1 Statement provided to Florida Death With Dignity, LLC on 09/17/2025.

+ Fidel

LSCC (and its mission parishes and Benedictines of the Living Spirit)

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