December 3, 2025

What we see unfolding in our nation is a vicious pattern of hatred rooted in the rejection of God, of the dignity of the human person, and the sanctity of the family. We can eradicate these ills only through a firm reliance on God, through a deeper devotion to Christ and the Gospel, through a sincere love for persons reflected in law, and through a renewed commitment to justice and public order.

We are living through a perilous moment. Our challenge is not only one of partisan disagreement, law, and policy, but in a deeper way our challenge is to uphold the central goods of American political life: of faith, of families, and of a national commitment to live together in harmony as brothers and sisters.

Bishop Michael Burbidge
Bishop of Arlington, VA

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Dear Parishioners,

There is great hope in today’s readings, in addition to great challenges. This reflects a fundamental tension in all our Advent preparations. While we look forward to the joy of welcoming the Christ Child, we are also called to prepare a place for him.

Our first reading encourages us in the reminder that a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. What beauty there is in these images! What hope can be built in the assurance that even from the remnants of a grand tree, even from a stump, new life blooms. No matter what has torn us down or stunted our growth, blossoms can still bud in our lives. 

This hope is essential as we hear in today’s Gospel: Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.

But how? If some among us feel barren or exhausted, let us remember that the God who promises that the cow and the bear shall be neighbors also promises to enter into our broken relationships, if we allow him. The God who promises that the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb seeks to bring peace to the brokenness in our lives. He shall judge the poor with justice and will bring a spirit of wisdom and of understanding to all our concerns.

What does God ask of us to do this mighty work in our lives? Prepare the way of the Lord. Repent. We are called to turn away from the idols of power, money, comfort, self-reliance, distraction, or anything else that we might place where only God should stand. We are invited to allow the purifying fire of God’s love to clear space for the new growth he desires for us this holy season.

To bear good fruit, we must repent and make room for God to work in and through us this Advent. What might this look like in the coming weeks? We must prepare the way of the Lord with silence, prayer, Scripture study, and space for worship. Who can help us, encourage us, and hold us accountable in this work? 

Our presence at Mass is a good beginning. In these sacred moments, we ask for God’s healing, we listen for God’s voice, and we raise our hearts to him in worship. May he, in this Mass and throughout this season of Advent, bring us to new life and new growth. May he nourish us and may we be given the grace to receive all his good gifts.

God Love Ya!
Fr. Reilly

Monday is a Holyday of Obligation. The office is closed for the holyday. The Mass schedule is:




There will be a second collection taken up this weekend, for this very special Hospital.

Located just 1500 steps from the birthplace of Christ, the Holy Family Hospital is the Bethlehem region’s premier Catholic teaching hospital with a state of the art maternity and neonatal care center serving women, infants and children throughout the Holy Land.

No family is ever turned away, allowing the hospital to be a beacon of hope for the poor and at risk families in the Bethlehem region.

Please welcome Ambassador Michele Bowe, from the Order of Malta, and the Hospital’s Foundation President, who will be speaking at all Masses about the Hospital's mission to deliver life, peace and hope in the Holy Land. 



If you are looking for last minute gifts and stocking stuffers, the Shepherds of Bethlehem will be here selling their famous olive wood carvings.

Elias, who is from Bethlehem, in the Holy Land and will be returning for Christmas with his family, reached out to me and asked to come this last weekend to help support the economy in the Holy Land and the Christian workers of Bethlehem.

If you could help in any way to make this Christmas a joy filled one for those Christians struggling in the Holy Land, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

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Saints Peter and Paul School is looking for a part-time librarian to join the faculty in January. Secondly, a substitute gym teacher is also needed. The gym classes are 4 days a week.

Interested candidates should please reach out to: [email protected].

Christmas Giving Tree 2025

 

The tags will need to be returned with the wrapped item with the tag matched (this is very important by Sunday, December 14. 

Please remember that each of the children’s gift request tags are matched to a recipient at Mission Santa Maria/ St. Rocco parish. For that reason, we ask that if you take a particular tag, please be sure to bring a gift! We recommend taking a photo of the tag as soon as you take it in case you lose it. 

Gift Cards

There will also be gift card tags available for Target, Walmart, Giant and ShopRite. Most of our gift cards will be sent to St. Agnes Day room, serving the needs of the poor in West Chester. Some will also be given to needy households in our own parish.

Gifts and gift cards may be placed in the Monsignor Foley Library (first door to the right as you enter the church narthex) during these times from November 29 to December 14:

-Before and after the weekend Masses

-Before and after the 8:30 AM daily Mass

Please note that the library will remain locked for security purposes outside of the listed times.

We ask that you do NOT leave gifts in the church narthex!

Please do not drop Christmas gifts off prior to November 29 to avoid confusion with our Thanksgiving Food Drive pick up that morning!

Please contact jmagee@sspeterandpaulrc.org for additional questions or concerns.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

 

Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 14, 2025 4:00 PM

Saints Peter and Paul parish invites you to participate in a special presentation of "Lessons and Carols" on Sunday, December 14th, at 4:00 PM in the Church. 

Take a break from the holiday rush to be refreshed by word, song and fellowship.

Men's Evening Group
Thursday, December 4, 2025 8:00 PM

The men's evening group will meet on Thursday, December 4 in the parish center to discuss a video describing several scientifically proven Eucharistic Miracles.

Door open at 7:45, programs begins at 8:00 PM.

All Men are welcome.

Breakfast With Santa
Sunday, December 7, 2025 8:30 and 10:00 AM

Please join us for a festive Breakfast with Santa, featuring donuts, coffee bar from Cafe Gourmino, cookie decorating kits, and cheerful photo ops with Santa himself!! This is a perfect way to kick off the Christmas season.

There will be 2 sessions; 8:30 to 9:30 and 10:00 to 11:00 in the Church Hall. Limited spots are available so please use the QR code below, to register and join us.