Madonna and Child by Giuseppe Maria Crespi
Loving Mother of the Redeemer
There are five antiphons sung in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary that correspond to the various liturgical seasons. The antiphon sung during Advent and Christmas, until the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (February 2), is the Alma Redemptoris Mater (“Loving Mother of the Redeemer”). Parishioners may wish to use this antiphon as devotional prayer during Advent:
Loving Mother of the Redeemer,
gate of heaven, star of the sea,
assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before.
You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting,
have pity on us poor sinners.
Immaculate Conception
This year, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not a Holy Day of Obligation. This is because the feast is transferred from the normal date of December 8 to December 9, since the Second Sunday of Advent falls on December 8, and takes precedence over the Immaculate Conception. Furthermore, because the December 9 is a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is suppressed.
Although the Immaculate Conception is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year, it would still be a good idea to recite the Rosary or some other Marian prayer privately this day, since the Virgin Mary, honored under this title, is the patroness of the United States. The Immaculate Conception commemorates our belief that Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin, and so became a pure, immaculate vessel for Christ the Lord.
A Celebration of
Saint Nicholas Day
December 9, 2019 | 11:00am
featuring Forgotten Clefs
Forgotten Clefs promotes early music in the United States through performance, research, and education. We'll journey to Renaissance England and explore two centuries of music for wind band and singers. The program will highlight music sung in English and Latin, and features Renaissance instruments: shawms, dulcians, brass, and strings - with a surprise visit from bagpipes! FREE lunch follows!
Annual Advent Lessons and Carols
December 13, 2019 | 7:30pm
featuring the Musicians of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
An evening of festive carols, beautiful choral anthems, and scripture. Donations will be given to the Ryan White Program of Capital Area Health Network.
JOIN US!
Handcrafted Historic Cathedral Ornaments
Handcrafted from the original 1906 bell tower walkway wood, these ornaments were made by students in CHAT’s (Churchill Activities & Tutoring) Nehemiah’s Workshop using their woodworking training to create these unique ornaments. They are on sale in the Cathedral Gift Shop for $20, which is open before and after all weekend Masses. For more information on CHAT www.chatrichmond.org
Advent Wreath
By custom, the Advent wreath is blessed and lit on the First Sunday of Advent (November 30 – December 1), both in the church and in the home. The wreath functions as a calendar for the season, as the Church waits—in the sense of preparing and looking forward—to the first coming of Christ at Christmas, and to his Second Coming (Parousia) at the end of time.
This year, a new Advent wreath will be used in the church, which will make it easier for designated parishioners to light the wreath during Mass.
According to the Book of Blessings, “The candles represent the four weeks of Advent and the number of candles lighted each week corresponds to the number of the current week of Advent. The rose candle is lighted on the Third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete [“rejoice”] Sunday” (no. 1511).
Living Rosary
Led by Cathedral Youth Groups
All are welcome to join the Youth in leading the Rosary in the Parish Hall on Sunday, December 8th following the 9:00am Mass. Please join us and help lead a prayer of the Rosary! Rosaries, prayer cards and prayer guides provided - it is so easy to join in with us!
Wednesday, December 11 at 6:00 pm
An Advent Penance Service will take place on Wednesday, December 11 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.
Several priests will be on hand to hear confessions. Please note that this will be the individual form of Penance (Rite for Reconciliation of Individual Penitents), and not the communal one (Rite for Reconciliation of Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution). Therefore, it is not necessary to arrive at the church right at 6:00 pm. Mass will begin at 7:00 pm. If necessary, confessions will continue to be heard during Mass.
Need a fresh set of Advent Candles for your Advent wreath?
Stop by to purchase a set of hand-dipped candles and see all the beautiful new items available in our
Stop by to purchase a set of hand-dipped candles and see all the beautiful new items available in our
Gift Shop. All proceeds from our shop go back to support Cathedral ministries. Thank you for your support!
March for Life Pilgrimage for
Middle School & High School Students
January 23-24 , Register by December 15th!
Calling all Middle School & High School Students. Register by December 15, 2019 for an overnight trip to Woodbridge, VA for a youth rally at the Eagle Bank Arena and overnight stay in a hotel. Mass will be the next morning with Bishop Knestout and then onto the March for Life in Washington, DC. Tickets for middle and high school youth are $55 per person which includes all transportation, the rally, an overnight stay and pizza snack on Thursday night, breakfast and lunch. Please contact Joy Weir at jweir@richmondcathedral.org to register or with any questions.
Please visit the Cathedral website to review the Adult Faith Formation programs for 2019-2020
www.richmondcathedral.org
Reflections: Mystics of the Church
Sunday, December 15 | 10:00am | 1st Floor Parish Office
Reflections will meet next to discuss three great men who served the Lord and us by the holiness of their lives, Brother Lawrence, St. Alphonsus Rodriquez & Blessed Solanus Casey of Detroit.
For additional information, please contact Mike Jackman @ mjack11097@verizon.net or call 804 -338-3100.
For additional information, please contact Mike Jackman @ mjack11097@verizon.net or call 804 -338-3100.
A great gift for your child or grandchild this Christmas!
This Missal helps your child take part in the Mass on Sundays and feast days and allows them to read along with the readings and Gospel. It includes the Sunday readings for Year A (U.S. Lectionary), the Order of Mass, key words for each Sunday, and beautiful full-color illustrations. This Sunday Missal is the ideal gift for children, grandchildren and as a sacramental gift! Recommended for ages 7 and up.
You can purchase directly from our Cathedral Gift Shop. $10 per Missal.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year...
Breakfast with Santa
It’s time to register for the Knights of Columbus Breakfast with Santa. The breakfast is Saturday, December 14th starting at 9am. RSVP by emailing Joy Weir @ Jweir@richmondcathedral.org with how many will be coming and please also note the ages of the children and if they are a boy or girl. It’s all free but PLEASE register by Monday, December 9th so Santa can have his bag full of toys ready!
It’s time to register for the Knights of Columbus Breakfast with Santa. The breakfast is Saturday, December 14th starting at 9am. RSVP by emailing Joy Weir @ Jweir@richmondcathedral.org with how many will be coming and please also note the ages of the children and if they are a boy or girl. It’s all free but PLEASE register by Monday, December 9th so Santa can have his bag full of toys ready!
Christmas Pageant
It’s time to register your child ages 3 to 12 for the Cathedral Christmas Pageant at the Children’s 4:00 Christmas Vigil Mass. The first rehearsal and costume fitting is Monday, December 9th @ 6pm in the Parish Hall.
Please email Joy Weir at jweir@richmondcathedral.org if you would like your child(ren) to participate.
It’s time to register your child ages 3 to 12 for the Cathedral Christmas Pageant at the Children’s 4:00 Christmas Vigil Mass. The first rehearsal and costume fitting is Monday, December 9th @ 6pm in the Parish Hall.
Please email Joy Weir at jweir@richmondcathedral.org if you would like your child(ren) to participate.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
RCIA SPONSORS 2019-2020
Our Cathedral community supports the RCIA community each year with prayer and hospitality. RCIA members always express how thankful they are to our parish community. If you would like to join the RCIA ministry as a Sponsor please email Maria Thorsen: mthorsen@richmondcathedral.org
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
to the Sick and Homebound
This is a wonderful ministry whereby you will meet some of the nicest and most grateful people imaginable. The time commitment is minimal and the reward is everlasting!
If you can commit to spending a few moments once a month, taking the Eucharist to those who would otherwise not receive it, contact the Eucharistic Minister Coordinator.
If you can commit to spending a few moments once a month, taking the Eucharist to those who would otherwise not receive it, contact the Eucharistic Minister Coordinator.
John Aune
jraune@outlook.com | (217) 649-5566
Updated Weekend Bulletin
Give with Vanco
You can give:
• online through QR code or visit
www.richmondcathedral.org/give/
• through Mobile App by downloading the
‘GivePlus Church’
• or by texting the amount you wish to give to 804-315-0903. You will have to enter your credit card or bank account number the first time you give. For more information please call the church office 804-212-3898
Parking Voucher
The parking vouchers for the VCU Decks have been updated. Please use this QR code to vacate the decks and avoid paying for parking.
Bulletin Update!
Please check out our weekly bulletin for more in-depth information regarding events at your Cathedral!
Bulletin Update
More events and information found here:
Wednesday, August 15, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Please join us for a Solemn Mass at 12:00 Noon with special music sung by the Cathedral Schola Cantorum or a sung Mass at 6:00p.
"When speaking of families, often the image of a treasure comes to my mind.
Today's rhythm of life, stress, pressure at work, and also the little attention paid by institutions, could put them in danger.
It's not enough to talk about their importance: it's necessary to promote concrete means and to develop their role in society with a good family policy.
Today's rhythm of life, stress, pressure at work, and also the little attention paid by institutions, could put them in danger.
It's not enough to talk about their importance: it's necessary to promote concrete means and to develop their role in society with a good family policy.
Together, let us ask Jesus that any far-reaching decisions of economists and politicians may protect the family as one of the treasures of humanity."
-Pope Francis
HOLY SMOKES!
PREK-Middle School Open House
Sunday, Sept. 9 | 10:00 - 11:00 am
Join us in our new church offices on the first floor to learn about our wonderful year of children’s formation and middle school youth group. You will get a chance to meet your child’s catechist or group leader. Coming from the church, go past the bathrooms through the hall and two sets of doors to reach the new office. Coming from the street, you can enter directly through the double doors at 823 S. Cathedral Place.
High School and Confirmation Open House
Sunday, September 9 |12:00-1:00pm
Join us in our new church offices on the first floor to learn about our high school youth group meetings and the chance for service hours. If you are in your sophmore year or older and would like information on the Sacrament of Confirmation, please attend this open house. Coming from the church, go past the bathrooms through the hall and two sets of doors to reach the new office. Coming from the street, you can enter directly through the double doors at 823 S. Cathedral Place.
Bible Timeline: A Story of Salvation History
*Now Mondays* 7:00p - 8:30p | Parish Hall (New Location)
Dates: September 17th, September 24th, and October 1st
“To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances; to seek Him, the greatest adventure…” St. Augustine. The Bible Timeline is a Catholic approach to Scripture that invites us into a transformative encounter with Jesus Christ.
Everyone is invited. Please attend and bring a friend!
Please note temporary change of location:
The Nursery will be located in the large classroom on the lower level for about 4 weeks. All nursery supplies have been stored as the rooms are cleaned and painted, so we are asking that you bring a bag of toys that the children can share each week. Please have diapers available, if needed.
If you have any questions please email:
Women's Book Group
Fridays at 10am | Parish Hall
Sept 28, Oct 5, Oct 12, and Oct 19
“Through her unique gift for
storytelling, combined with profound
spiritual insight, Sr. Bridget
Haase's Doors to the Sacred will invite
readers to open the door to the room of
daily experience, stand under its
ceiling of providence, walk the floors of
faith, and explore its nooks and
crannies of divine surprises and
disguises. By so doing, they will
discover that each event of life is holy,
saturated with God, and filled with
hope.” – Paraclete Press
An Advent Letter
from Fr. Tony
“Shine like stars in the world, as you hold fast to the word of life” (Phil. 2:15–16)