Entrance Hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

What Is Advent?

Advent is not just about preparing for Christmas. In fact, it is only in the final week of the season that the focus is on commemorating the coming of Christ at Christmas. The emphasis in the first three weeks of Advent is on the second coming of Christ. The season of Advent is proposed to us every year by the Church to enable us to prepare for the end time, when Christ will return to take us into the community of the Trinity in a definitive way. His kingdom will then be fully established.

Some people may know that the Advent season focuses on expectation and think it serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. This is part of the story, but there’s more to Advent. The word ‘Advent’ is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning ‘coming’. By the 6^th century Roman Christians had tied Advent to the coming of Christ. But the ‘coming’ they had in mind was not Christ’s first coming in the manger in Bethlehem, but his second coming at the end of time. The Advent season was not explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming at Christmas until the Middle Ages.

‘Waiting’, ‘expectation’, ‘preparation’, ‘coming’: this is where we are this Advent. For Advent to be productive for us we need to rely on the help of the Holy Spirit who will enable us to deal with what looks impossible to our weak human way of thinking. Advent is the season when we prepare for Christ to come to each one of us. May our prayer be: ‘Come, Lord Jesus.’

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be celebrated tomorrow, 8^th December. Mass at 10.00 am.

An evening for those in ministries and services

On Thursday next, 11^th December, there will be an evening of reflection for those involved in parish ministries and services. Presentation Brother Martin Kenneally will be our facilitator. The title of his intervention is: ‘Finding hope in challenging times’. The function will take place in the Day Care Centre on Capwell Rd and will begin at 7.00 pm. Light refreshments will be available. The church car park will be open all evening to facilitate those attending.

Morning Prayer (Lauds) will be offered after Mass on Fridays of Advent

Sacrament of Penance will be offered after all Masses the weekend of 20/21 December, a most appropriate preparation for Christmas.

Christmas Cards

Shared Mass Cards are available from this weekend at the office inside the main entrance to the Church.

St Vincent de Paul Collection will be held next weekend 13/14 December.

Ave Maria
Gratia plena
Dominus tecum
Benedicta tu

Ave Maria…