DO Remember that Advent is a liturgical season unto itself –The Christmas season begins on Christmas Eve and ends this year on January 9, 2022 –the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
DO Join us for our Advent program on Thursdays, Dec. 2, 9, 16
DO Create an Advent wreath in your home and light daily –maybe at dinner as you say grace.
DO Find some time to DO some reflection or spiritual reading related to the scriptures for the season.
DO Make an effort to attend one daily Mass per week during Advent.
DO Say a prayer for the person whose gift you are wrapping.
DO Put the infant Jesus statue in the manager whenever you assemble it—Jesus is already born –Christmas is his birthday, not his birth.
DO Positive things with your time during Advent so that others enjoy your company.
DO Plan to attend the parish Penance Service on December 14 at 7:00 PM.
DO Remember to celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 –it is a Holy Day of Obligation.
(See Immaculate Conception post for Mass times)
DO Consider some form of sacrifice or fasting during Advent to help heighten the anticipation of the Feast of the Incarnation of Christ.
DON’T Forget to come back to church in person.
DON’T Let the pressure of Christmas expectations ruin your Advent.
DON’T Decorate your Christmas tree before the third Sunday of Advent or gradually decorate it throughout the season.
DON’T De-decorate right after Christmas –the Christmas season goes until January 9, 2022.
DON’T Let Christmas shopping dominate your time during Advent.
DON’T Forget your elderly neighbors who may be alone at Christmas.
DON’T Forget to buy at least one gift for a poor child or family in need this Christmas.
DON’T Complain about everything you have to DO during Advent –it makes people anxious.
DON’T Forget the Holy Day of Obligation --December 8, the Immaculate Conception of Mary. It is a Holy Day of Obligation.
(See Immaculate Conception post for Mass times)
DON’T Forget to bring the family to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) on December 14.
DON’T Give in to the urge to rush Christmas –it will be here soon enough
CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE
Once again, our parish is reaching out to those in our parish who may find themselves in need of assistance this holiday season. We are able to help by providing assistance for meals and gifts at Christmas. If you find yourself in need of any of this kind of help, please contact Karen at 610-525-0147(call), 610-864-8538 (text), or kcarey@omgcparish.net (email), or Fr Joe or Fr John at the parish office. Please know that all names and information is kept confidential.
The gift givers do not ever know the giftees.
PROJECT ELF
Our parish is once again running our PROJECT ELF Program to offer assistance to our own parishioners who may need some food and gift assistance at Christmas. If you find yourself blessed to be able to give food, financial or gift giving assistance during this upcoming holiday season, please contact Karen at 610-525-0147(call), 610-864-8538 (text), or kcarey@omgcparish.net (email).
PREP SCHEDULE
December 5 - NO CLASS - BREAKFAST WITH SANTA 8 AM - 11 AM - Attend 11:15 Mass
December 12 - ALL STUDENTS CLASS (FAMILY CATECHESIS INCLUDED) 8:50 AM
CONFIRMATION CLASS 3:45 - 5:00 pm
December 19 - PREP Class 8:50 am
December 26-January 5 - Christmas Break
Youth Group Gatherings
Our Youth Group is happy to be starting up again after a long year and a half! Youth Group is open to any student in grades 6-12. Please check the following dates, times, and events! Join us when you can! Just please let us know when you are coming so we have enough food!
Sunday, December 5, 7:30 am to 11 am - BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Wednesday, December 15, 6 pm-7 pm - New Year’s Resolutions…. Crafting Activity.
PRINCIPAL ACCOMPANIST NEEDED
(Part-Time)
Would you like to put your musical gifts to use serving as a central part of a growing, vibrant music ministry in a supportive Catholic community? Consider the position of Principal Accompanist here at Our Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church.
The Accompanist contributes to the liturgy by providing high-quality organ and piano music, and by collaborating with the Director of Music Ministries in the overall music program at Our Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church. This position reports directly to the Director of Music Ministries.
MUSICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Weekend/Holy Day liturgies throughout the year as established by the Pastor & Director of Music Ministries
Accompanist for weekly choir rehearsals
Principal accompanist for Weddings (schedule permitting – stipend will be paid by the couple)
Availability for funerals a plus KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES
Excellent organ/piano skills
Skill with electronic musical instruments (such as synthesizers) a plus
Ability to work within a music ensemble
Knowledge of the structure of Roman Catholic Liturgy, especially Sunday Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours
Broad repertoire of Catholic liturgical music
Proficiency in working with email
Proficiency in verbal, non-verbal communication, written composition, and active listening skills
Ability and interest in working as a positive team member with colleagues and members of the church community
Ability to provide excellent pastoral presence and work effectively with staff and clergy
Ability to organize, prioritize, and utilize effective time management techniques
Ability to follow instructions furnished in verbal or written format
Please send resumé to Roger Pisani, Director of Music Ministries/Pastoral Associate, at rpisani@omgcparish.net.
OMGC PART-TIME HELP NEEDED
We are looking for help in the evenings and weekends opening and closing the gym. Duties include light cleaning and sanitizing, opening the gym for the coaches and locking up at the end of the night. Background checks will be required, and the schedule is flexible. Call Joe Carey at 610-525-0147 ext. 262, or email jcarey@omgcparish.net.
HELP WANTED – PART-TIME COOK
An Augustinian Community of 6 men in Ardmore is looking for a part-time cook. Preferably four days a week, 3-4 hours a day for dinner preparation and some shopping. Inquiries, including a resume or a description of cooking experience, should be directed to Fr. Allan Fitzgerald, O.S.A. at allan.fitzgerald@gmail.com.
No phone calls, please. Thank you!
Please join us for the
OMGC ADVENT REFLECTION SESSIONS (3 parts)
IT'S HAPPENING THIS THURSDAY!
Parts one and two
of the OMGC Advent retreat series:
EXPERIENCE THE CRECHE
AS A DOORWAY
TO CHRISTMAS WISDOM AND WONDER!
Meet Your Crèche:
A Spiritual Practice
with
John Shea.
Thursdays, December 2 & 9, 2021
7pm-8:30pm (90 minutes)
This program will be held on the Zoom platform
It’s Christmas. Time to find your crèche, dust it off, and set it up.
But, with a little effort, this might be more than just one more decorating touch.
Putting up the crèche can be a spiritual practice.
All the figures are symbolic players.
They have something to say to us, something that focuses on our experience,
and brings wisdom and beauty into our lives.
Join us in this practice.
It will bring Christmas into the place it is meant to be – your home.
On December 2, we will listen to the wisdom and beauty
of the angels, shepherds, and the Wise Men.
On December 9, we will listen to the wisdom and beauty
of Joseph, Mary, and the child.
John (Jack) Shea is a consultant with decades of experience in providing theological and formation services to parishes and faith-based organizations. He has published over twenty books of theology and spirituality, three works of fiction, and three books of poetry.
He has served as the Executive Director of Program Design and Implementation for the Ministry Leadership Center; the Advocate Healthcare Senior Scholar in Residence at the Park Ridge Center for the Study of Health, Faith and Ethics; research professor at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University of Chicago; and Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at the University of St. Mary of the Lake. He has also taught at the University of Notre Dame and Boston College.
You must register in advance for this program.
You are invited to gather at the parish social center
to participate in the program as a group via Zoom
with people from around the country.
Suggested donation $15 per session or free-will offering.
This program is sponsored by Sacred Doorways,
part of the Institute for Liturgical and Spiritual Formation,
a 501(c)3 non-profit organization
serving the Catholic Church since 1993.
To register, send your name, preferred email address and phone number to sacreddoorwaysnj@gmail.com.
Part Three
AN EVENING OF REFLECTION WITH FATHER DAVID AND MICHELLE FRANCL
Let us be as Mary, says Augustine,
“heavy with the incarnate Christ.” -- centered on Tanner's beautiful painting of the Annunciation.
Please Join Fr. David and Michelle Francl for an evening of reflection on December 16th at 7:00 PM in the Church.
All are welcome.
