The Season of Advent
The Season of Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas; it is a season to learn to watch and wait for the coming of the Lord. We take this time each year to recall that the people of Israel waited for the coming of the Messiah for nearly 4,000 years. We recall that we wait for Christ to come at the end of time. And we remember that Christ also comes to us in the events of our lives. Sometimes, though, we are so very busy, that we miss our surprise encounters with Christ. May we use this season wisely and learn that this is a time to prepare our hearts for Christ. May it be a time of listening and prayer, a time to renew hope within our lives.
Giving Tree
In the Church lobby we will have a tree filled with paper stars. Please take one of the stars and buy an appropriate gift for the need or person indicated. Here is an opportunity for you and/or your children to help those in need and reinforcing deeper meaning of Christmas.
Celebration of Lessons and Carols
In the first week of Advent, we celebrate Lessons and Carols. This beautiful tradition in the church is an opportunity to begin the Season of Advent by listening to the Word of God and reflecting on the meaning of Christ’s coming through very beautiful musical responses. This is one of the most beautiful experiences of prayer that is offered to our parish. Please see the bulletin and website for the date and time.
Blessing of Infants
On the Second Sunday of Advent, at the 10:30 a.m. Mass, we celebrate our annual blessing of infants baptized during the past year. After the homily, parents are invited to bring their child forward in order to receive this blessing and dedication to Mary and to be given the medal of the Immaculate Conception.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
On December 8th, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation.
Blessing of Expectant Couples
On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, at the 10:30 a.m. Mass we celebrate the Blessing of Expectant Couples. After the homily, couples expecting a child will be invited to come forward in order to seek God’s blessing for a safe pregnancy and delivery. We do this on the Fourth Sunday of Advent because it is on this Sunday that the Church recalls the pregnancy of Mary, who is the model for us for our celebration of the great feast of Christmas.
Flower and Music Donation
At Christmas and Easter, we invite parishioners to assist the parish by a donation that helps defray the cost of flowers and additional instrumentation. An envelope for this purpose is included in the budget envelopes. The envelope also affords the giver an opportunity to make the donation in memory of an individual. There is a place on the envelope to write the name of that person.
Christmas Sharing Envelope
On the 3rd Sunday of Advent we have a special collection entitled “Christmas Sharing.” The envelope for this purpose is included in the budget envelopes. The money collected is used to assist families that are in need. As Charles Dickens so aptly pointed out, the needs of the poor and those who have less are more sharply felt during this Christmas Season. We encourage you to be generous in your contributions to the needs of the poor. Everything that we have comes from God and at this time of the year when we celebrate the Birth of Christ, God calls us to a deeper care and attention to those in need.
Decorating for Christmas
Every year parishioners are invited to assist in decorating the Church for Christmas. The date and time for this is announced in the Parish Bulletin.
