Dear Serrans,
In Advent the Church offers us a wonderful time to focus on the longing we all have for the coming of Christ. Together we try to keep our focus on the spiritual meaning of the season and listen to Christ's call in our hearts to spend more time with him. It is also a good time to rejuvenate the important mission we have as Serrans. Advent is in particular a season of consecrated vocations, because it is a time when we remember when we are living for heaven and longing for thesecond coming of Christ. Those who live vocations as priests, sisters, and brothers remind us all by their lives totally given to what we are all longing for Christ's coming into the world.
This Advent, I want to thank you for your membership in Serra and for all you do to focus the world on the true meaning of Christmas. Serra invites its members, and all people, to focus on the true meaning of this life. Advent can be a good time to recommit to your Serra ministry. Your prayers and work as Serrans are extremely important to our Church. There is much work to do to continue to support the work of vocations in our Church. I am grateful for so many Serrans who have joined together as the USA Council of Serra to carry out this work.
I'm honored to be the Episcopal Advisor to the USA Council of Serra and I can speak for my fellow bishops when I say thank you for your efforts. So many bishops appreciate the great work that you do. Hundreds of priests and consecrated religious would also want me to say thank you for being a Serran and beg you to continue your efforts to increase our numbers. Our church needs the mission of Serra and a strong, committed membership.
As we focus on the true meaning of Christmas this advent and we invite others to do the same, let us ask God to bless the work of Serra that we might support those who are called to be a light in the darkness of our world.
May all the blessings of Christ be with you this Christmas and in the coming new year.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
The Most Reverend Andrew H. Cozzens, S. T. D., D. D.
Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Last Minute Gifts from the Serra E-Store.
This very special 9-inch tall (6 inches sitting) is embroidered with the new Saint Junipero Serra icon on the front and Siempre Adelante! on the back. The Serra Bear comes in a gift box.
FREE shipping on all bear orders through 12/31/2015! Order today at $12.95. Go to
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