St. Eulalia - Winchester/Arlington

Welcome to St. Eulalia Parish

Catholics find meaning and hope in Jesus Christ, whom God the Father 
has sent into the world for the salvation of all peoples.

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December 5, 2021         
                          
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Eulalia Parish,
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!  St. Paul quotes Isaiah (Tue 11/30) to encourage us to be the people of Advent. With the greatest hope in God, we get ready to be Christ to others. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light…a light has dawned (Is 9:2). The encounters that we have with Christ and with each other have created hope of a promise to the whole world. This promise will be fulfilled when the child Jesus is born. Glory to God in the highest, and Peace to people of good will.

In the past Sunday Gospel of Luke, Jesus warns us to be prepared when the promise is fulfilled: Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man (Lk 21: 36).  In order for that hope to be fulfilled, we need to do necessary preparation which is the theme of this coming Sunday: prepare the way of the Lord (both Isaiah and John the Baptist are calling for it). This week’s daily Gospels are so inspiring to our faith. The centurion’s words deserve some reflection (Mon.11/29) Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof not only expresses his own humbleness, but also tells us the reality of our own lives.  We are often afraid of having Jesus get too close to us. We are scared because this Jesus might see everything inside of us: the good, the bad, and the ugly, and we are not ready to make changes at the moment. The centurion’s faith is far beyond that which even amazed Jesus: Only say the word that my servant will be healed. Though we say these similar words whenever we come to receive the Holy Communion, do we really mean it?

Friends, let us pay attention to the words of Jesus during these days of Advent. Everyone who listens to the words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who builds his house on rock (Thurs 12/02). Andrew and Peter, James and John, acted upon it by leaving everything behind when Jesus called them when they were on the seashore working (Tue, 11/30). The very action of the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others who came to listen moved the heart of Jesus, and they were all cured and fed (wed.12/01). The two singled out blind men gained their sight because they heard Jesus and voiced their needs for healing (Fr. 12/03). Out of compassion for many others, Jesus gave power and authority to the 12 apostles to expel unclean spirits and to heal the sick (Sat 12/03). This is our Jesus, the compassioned one who is coming as the Judge and Messiah. Be prayerful and be apostolic. Ora et Labora.
                                                       God bless,
                                                                                               Fr John Chen

 The office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  .  
 
To send a message, you may email us from our contact page

Please tune into the 4:00 pm Mass this Saturday or 10:00 am or 5:00 pm Mass this Sunday and 9:00 am Mass daily.

Mass times at St. Mary Parish can be found on the St. Mary Parish website.