December Newsletter
Happy New Year!
Did you know that our church's calendar is different than the Jan-Dec calendar we are all used to? Our church's liturgical calendar runs from Advent (this year that starts on 12/2) through Christ the King Sunday (that was last week). That means that our new year starts TOMORROW!! So... Happy New Year!!The liturgical year begins with Advent, a word derived from Latin that means "coming." During Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, and we look forward to Christ's second coming at the end of time.
One popular tradition during Advent is to put out an Advent Wreath. Our family's Advent Wreath is the centerpiece of our dining room table. When our kids were younger they would look forward to lighting the appropriate candles each night before dinner, during Advent. If your family does something similar (or if you'd like to start this as a new tradition), here is a prayer to use with children or your family as you light the Advent wreath candles:
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe.
You sent your Son to be the Light of the world and to
spread his light of love to all.
As we light the candles of this wreath
May its growing brightness remind us of the approaching
nearness of your Son
So that the day of His coming may find us prepared and
filled with joy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
If you don't have an Advent Wreath, a simple search on your favorite online Catholic shop, Amazon, or even Pinterest and Etsy will give you tons of great options. For more information on how to celebrate Advent, without rushing straight into Christmas, here are some helpful links:
- Celebrating Advent with Your Family
- Four Gifts For You This Advent
- The Best Advent Ever daily reflections from Dynamic Catholic
- Prepare the Way of the King by Dr. Scott Hahn an Audio (47 mins)
- The True Meaning of Christmas by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen an audio
- A cartoon for the kids on the life of St. Nicholas (feast day is Dec 6th)
- Prepare the Way: An Advent Journey is an entire study on Advent!
- Advent Daily Reflections by Dr. Tim Grey sent right to your inbox
- ... and SOO much more! Be sure to create your free FOR ED account and check out all of the amazing resources!!
Here's What's Happening in December
- Saturday 12/1/18 - First Reconciliation. Congratulations to Logan A, Krysta C, Jordan F, Veronica K, Ashely K, Cody M, Alexander R, and Luke Z! Way to go kids!!
- Sunday 12/2/18 - YDisciple Young Ladies Group meets from 9-10 am at St. Mary's.
- Thursday 12/6/18 - Altar & Rosary Women's Christmas Party. Doors open at 6:00 pm, dinner served at 6:30 pm at Strykersville parish hall. Please bring a non-perishable, non-expired food item, to be donated to the food pantry.
- Sunday 12/9/18
- RSVPs due for the Parish-wide Advent Saints Social event on 12/16
- YDisciple Young Ladies Group meets from 9-10 am at St. Mary's.
- Gifts for the Angel Action Tree are due after morning mass.
- Thursday 12/13 - ADORATION
- Sunday 12/16/18
- YDisciple Young Ladies Group meets from 9-10 am at St. Mary's.
PARISH-WIDE ADVENT SOCIAL! All are welcome to join us at 11:30 in Weber Hall for a social event where we will be learning about a few Advent saints, singing Christmas carols, enjoying skits, and sharing a meal (please bring a dish to pass). This social will be in place of our monthly faith formation family session - EVERYONE is welcome!
67th Annual Diocesan Youth Convention
Students in 9th - 12th grade are invited to join WACY for the 67th Annual Diocesan Youth Convention March 1-3, 2019 at the Buffalo Grand Hotel (Formerly Adam's Mark Hotel). If you have a 10th-grade student, wishing to be Confirmed this year, but was unable to attend our fall retreat - the convention will fulfill your retreat requirements. Please contact Theresa Zielinski at theresazielinski8@gmail.com for more information on how to register.