November 27, 2022
CELEBRATE THE EUCHARIST
Mass at St. Mary's will be livestreamed
beginning at 9:00 am.
1st Sunday of Advent
Click here for today's Scripture readings.
Need help with the people's responses? Click here to download the Catholic Mass responses.
St. Mary's Sunday Bulletin is available online here.
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Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW): Click here for the readings from the Children's Lectionary. Click here for a Gospel activity sheet. (Note: the Kids Liturgy Youtube channel does not publish a weekly CLOW anymore.)
IN THIS EMAIL
PARISH/SCHOOL NEWS
• Saint Mary's Giving Tree and More
• Advent Confession Schedule
• Advent Family Activities - Facebook
• Annual Appeal - Giving Tuesday
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
• Anointing of the Sick
• Pray the Rosary with Us
UPCOMING EVENTS
• Advent Brunch
• Christmas with Cantus Concert
• Salvation Army Concert
• Diocesan Youth Conference
ADVENT SERIES
• Commonwealth Catholic Charities
offers HOPE
offers HOPE
PARISH/SCHOOL NEWS
SAINT MARY'S GIVING TREE AND MORE ...
Let's make Christmas MERRY for all!"
Our annual Giving tree is set up in the Commons beginning this weekend. Please be sure to stop by and select one or more tags to support our Christmas outreach. All gifts are due at church by December 11th for sorting and delivery.
In addition, we are in need of GIFT CARDS to distribute to the non-profits that we partner with. You can find a listing of the needed gift cards by CLICKING HERE.
Saint Mary's Human Concerns and Gift Scout Cadette Troop 5163 have teamed up to bring gifts to families on the southside of Richmond. The children in Saint Mary's School and our Faith Formation programs are participating to bring toys to children in need.
Saint Mary's has a proud history of helping and supporting our neighbors throughout the Richmond area. We thank you in advance for your generosity!
SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION IN ADVENT
The season of Advent is a traditional time when Catholics focus on the renewal of their spiritual lives. The celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is a powerful way for us to experience God's mercy, forgiveness, and compassion. We encourage everyone to celebrate this Sacrament during this holy season.
Here at Saint Mary's, we will host our Advent Reconciliation Service on December 15th at 7:00 p.m. The service begins with a brief Liturgy of the Word. Numerous local priests will then be available for individual Confessions.
In addition, Confessions are celebrated at Saint Mary's on December 3, 10, and 17 from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. in the Daily Mass Chapel.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Please be aware that numerous parishes in the Richmond area will host Advent Reconciliation Services in the next few weeks:
December 3 - Holy Rosary (10:00 a.m.)
December 6 - Saint Bridget (7:00 p.m.)
December 13 - Saint Paul (Noon and 7:00 p.m.)
December 14 - Redeemer (7:00 p.m.)
December 14 - Our Lady of Lourdes (7:00 p.m.)
December 17 - Saint Elizabeth (noon)
December 21 - Cathedral (5:30 p.m.)
FAMILY ADVENT ACTIVITIES ON FACEBOOK
Be sure to follow Saint Mary's on Facebook. Each Sunday and Thursday during Advent you will find a simple post about an Advent activity you can do as a family.
SMCS ANNUAL FUND - GIVING TUESDAY
The Saint Mary's Catholic School Annual Fund enables Saint Mary's to keep tuition costs down while affording resources and programs that enrich student and family life. Each year, SMCS kicks off its Annual Fund appeal with a matching challenge that begins on GivingTuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a day that encourages people to do good.
This year, a group of eight kickoff donors has offered a GivingTuesday matching challenge of $10,000. This group will collectively contribute $10,000 to Saint Mary’s Annual Fund for 2022-23 if other members of our community give gifts that match that amount between GivingTuesday – November 29 – and the end of the year.
Please help us make the match – and reach our $65,000 goal – by making a gift to the Saint Mary’s Catholic School Annual Fund. Visit saintmary.org/AnnualFund or mail a check to Saint Mary’s Catholic School, 9501 Gayton Road, Richmond, VA 23229. We thank you for your support!
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated following the 9:00 a.m. Daily Mass this Friday, December 2. All are welcome.
PRAY THE ROSARY WITH US
Join us on Friday, December 2nd at 8:15 a.m. as we gather to pray the rosary. We will have rosaries available if you need one. The Rosary will conclude in time for Mass which begins at 9:00 a.m.
UPCOMING EVENTS
ADVENT BRUNCH
Join St. Mary’s PTO for their annual Advent Brunch on Sunday, December 4th in the Parish Hall. There are seatings at 10:00 AM & 12:00 PM.
There is an EXPANDED MENU this year! And takeout is available
Pre-Order at: STMARYVA.EJOINME.ORG/ADVENTBRUNCH2022
In addition to brunch, there will be LIVE MUSIC, a visit from SAINT NICHOLAS, KIDS CRAFTS, and a CHRISTMAS SHOP!
CHRISTMAS WITH CANTUS
Last call for Cantus tickets! Their Into the Light Christmas show has been very well received and one you won't want to miss! For those who have tickets, the group will be selling CDs during intermission and after the show - Credit ONLY.
CHRISTMAS WITH CANTUS:
INTO THE LIGHT
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
St. Mary's Catholic Church
7:00 PM | $35 per person
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The Salvation Army National Capital Band will perform at Saint Mary's on Saturday, December 3rd at 1:30 p.m. This is a free concert! Donations accepted.
Come join us for an afternoon of festive music to put us in the spirit of the season!
DIOCESAN YOUTH CONFERENCE
Current St. Mary's 8-12th graders have the opportunity to register for the Richmond Diocesan Youth Conference, to be held February 10-12, 2023 at the Richmond Convention Center. Participants will check in on Friday evening and stay through Sunday at about noon.
INTERESTED? For all the information and forms, CLICK HERE.
ADVENT SERIES
(Commonwealth Catholic Charities)
CCC offers HOPE to refugees around the globe.
Last year alone, CCC offered hope to more than 921 individuals fleeing to the US for safety. While these individuals and families are now safe and secure in their new homes and communities, their journey is far from over. CCC supports refugees from around the world for up to five years, providing a strong foundation on their journey to a successful life as US citizens. CLICK HERE to watch a video from CCC.
CCC has created an interactive advent calendar for you and your family to learn more about the many programs and services throughout the Diocese of Richmond. https://www.cccofva.org/adventcalendar
If you would like to make a donation to Catholic Charities, click here. In addition, our second collection on Christmas will support Commonwealth Catholic Charities.