Second Sunday of Advent

Last night, more than 60 Saint Peter’s College students gathered in Saint Peter Chapel to worship together on the second Sunday of Advent. With rapidly dropping temperatures outside, the choir was ready to warm up the chapel with song. Two students received blessings from the community as new liturgical ministers. One will be a lector, which means sharing in the ministry of proclaiming the first or second readings, and the other will be a Eucharistic minister, which means assisting during distribution of Communion when necessary.

Fr. Ralph Rivera, S.J., from the Xavier Jesuit Community, traveled from Manhattan to celebrate Mass. Fr. Rivera is a long-time friend of Saint Peter’s, having taught philosophy at the College during the regency period of his formation. His homily reminded listeners of the special sense of time (kairos) represented by Jesus’ coming at Christmas and how different it is from the chronological (chronos) way time is usually perceived.

Before Mass concluded, Fr. Rivera and Fr. Rocco Danzi, S.J., chaplain for Saint Peter’s, raised their hands to offer a blessing of the intellect for all of the students. Classes conclude this week, and exams begin on Friday. Students and staff from Saint Peter’s Campus Ministry generously prepared treat bags for everyone, filled with snacks and with a prayer attached to them for the students to use for exams.