We hear in Isaiah who this eternal King is and what He will do. The good news is that Isaiah tells us this kingdom isn’t just for the Israelites but will be a beacon for the gentiles, for us! St. John the Baptist makes his call to repentance and belief in Jesus Christ. We hear who St. John the Baptist is and how he is the fulfillment of the prophets. St. John the Baptist speaks bluntly against the Pharisees and Sadducees, calling them a brood of vipers! He issues their condemnation unless they truly repent and believe in Jesus and the baptism in the Holy Spirit that He offers. This is a warning for us as well. Make sure that we heed this warning and change our lives during this Advent season. Focus more on your hearts and souls and lives changing and not just on preparing your homes and food. These are good things that can remind us of the change and light and joy we should have in our souls.
This week we celebrate the Holy Day of Obligation of the Immaculate Conception. Please make it a priority for you and your family to come to Mass Monday, December 8. There are no vigil Masses the night before because it is a Sunday, BUT there are many Mass times available at our parish, as well as the parishes in our area. Holy Day Mass times at St. Francis are 6:30 a.m., 8:35 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. Come join us.
On November 27, 2025, Rev. Daren J. Zehnle, KCHS died at 47 years old from a massive stroke. Fr. Zehnle and I have been close friends for over 25 years. We worked a lot together as brother priests, especially for things with the cause for Fr. Tolton. I am very sad. I miss my friend dearly, as I know many of you will. Please pray for Fr. Zehnle’s family, his friends, the Quincy University students, his brother priests, and all who loved him. He made a major impact on so many. His funeral will be here Tuesday, December 9 at 12:00 p.m. There will be a lot of people coming, so please be patient and welcoming to all who come through our doors for the funeral. Thank you to all who will make this day beautiful. Please also pray for the repose of his soul, as well as Fr. Joseph Ring, another priest of the diocese who died just a couple of weeks ago.
Thank you to all who made the Christmas Holiday Bazaar successful! It is a lot of work and a wonderful way to welcome so many through our doors who may never have entered otherwise. A great tool of evangelization as well as fundraising. Thank you!
Lastly, as we are in the season of inclement weather, please make sure you have the parish app downloaded on your phone and notifications on, so that if something would be changed or canceled, we can get the information out to you. Mass will never be canceled, but other events may be. Even if it is just Fr. Ken and I at Mass, we will still have the scheduled Masses at the scheduled times for the scheduled intentions. Also, please be very careful coming in and going out to cars. I can dispense individual people from the obligation of Mass for grave reasons, if you speak to me ahead of time. BUT, remember, I cannot dispense my entire parish from Mass. If it is a true danger for you to go to Mass, the obligation is not there. I say this for those who shouldn’t be coming, not to those who want this as an excuse not to go to Mass. If you are too afraid to leave the house, except maybe for the doctor or pharmacy or grocery store for necessities, then your obligation is not there. If you are willing to go shopping or go out to eat or get your hair done or drive somewhere to sled, then you and your family should be coming. Church law does not oblige you to risk your life to attend, especially our older generations. Just be smart.
Father Arisman