ADVENT 2026 REFLECTION
During Advent, we prepare our hearts to rejoice for this totally undeserved gift that is Christmas, the birth of Our Lord and Savior. But, unlike other world religions that “seek to find God”, we Catholics rejoice that He has already found us! Jesus is already there for us to give us His infinite love, mercy and promise of eternal life:
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves (Matthew 11. 28-29).”
In this increasingly chaotic world, Christmas’s true joy is knowing that Jesus is waiting with open arms to welcome us home, not just to celebrate His birth, but to live the example He gives us throughout the year. Share His joy with the inactive Catholics in your life! Invite them to the Advent masses and parish events. Invite them to Mass during Christmas season and invite them to Welcome Home Catholics. WHC gathers again after Christmas at our host parishes to help your inactive Catholics make a fresh start. Introductory videos for each session launch here at no cost from our home page.
WHC’s six weekly sessions help returning Catholics rediscover their joy and answer their questions about the way forward. Dress is casual or work clothes. There’s no cost and no requirements aside from a desire to grow closer to the Lord. See our Schedule Page for upcoming sessions. Want to learn more about hosting or sponsoring WHC? email us at:
welcomehomecatholics@yahoo.com
Slowly sails the ship into the harbor
A safe haven, to recover at last
Battered and torn, the sails on the mast
Weathered and beaten with holes in the hull
The tired vessel makes its way to the dock
With a lopsided movement toward us all
As one with a peg leg who lilts to one side
It finds its way home with no sense of pride
The battle was won but the cost was so dear
As some lives were lost, all shed a tear
Phyllis Comeaux
12-9-23
(on retreat)
From where comes this ship? Ask the hands on the dock
Sailing the seas looking for true treasures?
Or searching the lands for worldly pleasures?
Getting distracted as they stopped to play
They found themselves lost along the way
Trying to find the way back home
They found themselves caught up in a storm
Tossed hither and yonder and turned around
‘Til they heard the call home, heeding the sound
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Thus, the wayward Christian finds a way home
After darting off without a look back
Going after distractions that got him off track
Content and enjoying himself for a while
He finds he is missing home in this trial
And turns to see no one to help find the way
So he drops to his knees to fervently pray
And in the dark and stillness of night
He hears the call that changes his plight
Come Home to me and I will hold you tight
FOREVER – was the word that set him right