November 26, 2021
Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God,
the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ
with righteous deeds at his coming,
so that, gathered at his right hand,
they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.
-- collect on the First Sunday of Advent
"He was born so that we might be reborn!"
Wake Up!
While the world likes to rush to Christmas, we Catholics are invited to take an entire season, called Advent, to slow down and prepare ourselves for the great mystery before us.
The message of Advent for us is simple: “Wake up!”
Advent is a time to be reawakened to the great mystery of the Incarnation: God became man, in time and space and documented history over 2,000 years ago. If this is indeed true, then Jesus Christ has changed everything.
The people of Israel often grew tired in their exile and their seemingly endless wait on the Lord. But in his time, not ours, God showed up. And he still does today. For our sake, God indeed became man.
What is our response? How will this season be different? What can I do differently? How can I put Christ at the center of my life again, or perhaps for the very first time? Let's wake up this Advent season!
"He was born so that we might be reborn!"
St. Augustine
If you are looking for a time to attend penance this Advent, our Advent Parish Penance will be at St. Peter on Wednesday, December 1st from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. There will not be a service or Mass, but priests will be available to hear confessions in English and Spanish during this time.
There is just a little over a week left for The Giving Tree. Please remember to have gifts to the church no later than 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 5th.
Earth Shall Ring: An Advent and Christmas Music Celebration
You're invited to join the St. Joan of Arc Parish Choir and Instrumentalists for an Advent Lessons and Carols service. There will be scripture readings, choral pieces, and familiar carols for all to sing. A light reception will follow in the social hall.
For more information please contact Stephen Smith, Director of Sacred Music, at ssmith@stjoanofarcpowell.org.
