God is a power that surprises and enchants us!

“Advent, this powerful liturgical season that we are beginning, invites us to pause in silence to understand a presence. It is an invitation to understand that the individual events of the day are hints that God is giving us, signs of the attention He has for each one of us.”
--Pope Benedict XVI, Homily at First Vespers of Advent, November 28, 2009

            In the increasingly secular world in which we live, where references to the Divine are all too often ignored or eliminated, the Liturgical Season of Advent provides us with the opportunity to pause and once again recognize the presence of God in our lives. With the lessening of a religious culture and the increasing pace of life, it can be easy for us to live as if God has little or no influence in our lives. However, such an existence is one devoid of both freedom and joy. For it is only by knowing God’s will in our lives and having the courage to discern and live the Father’s specific will for us, that we are most authentically free and able to rejoice, even amidst tears. 
            My friends, we invite you to stop—to pause in silence—in order to reflect upon the presence of God in your life. Pause your life, let go for a moment of the many duties, distractions, and obligations that you have, to join us for one of the many liturgical and spiritual opportunities offered here at the Cathedral during Advent. The liturgical celebrations and retreat experiences are listed below…
            God is a power that surprises and enchants us! God is the fullness of life! God is adventure! And what is the greatest adventure of all? That the eternal God, who existed before all time, decided to become human in Jesus Christ. As we stop our lives to understand His presence in our lives through our liturgical celebrations and spiritual opportunities, it is then that we join in that greatest adventure of all! How could anyone say that being a Christian is boring!  

Msgr. Geno Sylva