This morning, we’ll have to change over the missalettes in chapel; a new book starts at the beginning of the new liturgical year.

Later this afternoon, after completing my shift at the front desk, I’ll have to get our stand up from the basement, climb around in the sacristy (to get the Advent wreath and candles down from the closet cupboard), put out the new lectionary, and change the altar cloths.

Along with getting our chapel ready physically for a new season, I have to get ready mentally and spiritually as well.

I “snuck a peak’ at tomorrow’s responsorial psalm in preparation for leading it, and it’s a beauty: “Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.” It’s a familiar one I’ve heard since childhood, so it won’t need much practice.

Later, too, I hope to take the opportunity to prepare my heart for this season of watchfulness and preparation by heading over to St. Michael’s Church where confessions are heard at 4 p.m.

It’s a beautiful, yet busy time, as we prepare to prepare for Christ’s coming.

As we prepare to begin this new season, I’d like to close with the prayer from tomorrow’s Alleluia verse: “Show us Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.”

We’ll need his love and salvation every day of the coming year.