This weekend I’ve been here four months. As a new pastor, I’m often asked—and I often ask myself—if there’s anything I’d like to change. And, I’ll admit it: I’ve changed some things. I’ve added a Mass. I’ve moved confessions times. I’ve encouraged new ventures. I’ve asked why we’ve done some things the way we’ve done them. But, there’s one thing I’d never want to change in these two parishes. The one thing I’d never want to change is your willingness to step forward and do the work the Church needs you to do. So many times, I’ve seen you do exactly what we needed. Carnival and Mummer’s Parade, my installation last month and our Senior Dinner this fall, food and shelter for the poor, musicians and ministers at Mass, teachers and aides at PREP, ideas and conversations at councils and committees—the list could go on and on. Each time you’re there. Each time you do what we need to do. Doesn’t that put us in the company of the Advent people we hear about this week? Zechariah and Elizabeth ready—more or less—for the late life adventure of parenting a prophet. John the Baptist sent out to the desert to prepare a way. Mary and Joseph ready for a road trip to Bethlehem. All people called by God to give themselves for the kingdom—just like you and I are called to give ourselves.