|
Journey with Us Weekly ReflectionFourth Week of Advent Reflection: Love
Staff Reflector: Robin Vincent, Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry As we await the birth of Jesus, we reflect on the journey of Mary and Joseph to a foreign land. Imagine being pregnant, cohabitating with a new partner, and constantly living in the borderlands. How do you think she was able to cope during this great time of transition? As they tread through various cities, they ended up knocking door by door, and the residents of Bethlehem wouldn’t let them in. Imagine, it’s 3 AM, and a woman and a man with a donkey knocked at your door. What would your reaction be? Would you let them in? Now close your eyes and think, these were people that were journeying and probably didn’t smell the nicest, or look the most presentable. Smell the sweat, and notice the tears and rips in their garments. Would you invite them in? As we focus on love this advent season, let’s center our hearts to find beauty in the stranger. Take an extra moment to share a laugh, give a hug, and to be kind to those not in our circles. Open your hearts to the stranger.
| |||||||||
|
|
Advent Prayer Resource - Hallow!
Christmas Mass Times
St. John XXIII ParishThe Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Eve—December 24, 2022
St. Mary Church 5:00 p.m. Mass, includes the Children’s Nativity Story 9:00 p.m. Mass, Hymns & Carols at 8:45 p.m. with the Traditional Choir St. Nicholas Church 3:00 p.m. Mass, includes the Children’s Reenactment of the Gospel Nativity Story 5:00 p.m. Mass, bilingual 10:00 p.m. Mass, choir music begins at 9:30 p.m. The Nativity of the Lord—December 25, 2022 9:30 a.m. Mass (Contemporary Choir); 11:00 a.m. Mass (Traditional Choir) at St. Mary Church 10:15 a.m. (English); 1:00 p.m. (Spanish) at St. Nicholas Church Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God—January 1, 2023 St. Mary Church Mass Schedule: Tuesday, December 31 at 5:00 p.m.; January 1 at 9:30, 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (French) St. Nicholas Church Mass Schedule: Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (English) including Kwaanza Celebration Sunday at 8:00 a.m. (Spanish), 10:15 a.m. (English), and 1:00 p.m. (Spanish) |
St. John Newman ParishChristmas Eve
4:00 pm - St. Athanasius 4:00 pm - St. Joan of Arc 10:00 pm - St. Athanasius Christmas Day 10:00 am - St. Athanasius 10:00 am - St. Joan of Arc New Year's Eve and Day Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God 4:30 pm - St. Joan of Arc 9:00 am - St. Athanasius 10:15 am - St. Joan of Arc 11:30 am - St. Athanasius |
|
An Advent tradition:
|
|
The Advent WreathThe symbolism of the Advent wreath is beautiful. The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. Even these evergreens have a traditional meaning which can be adapted to our faith: The laurel signifies victory over persecution and suffering; pine, holly, and yew, immortality; and cedar, strength and healing. Holly also has a special Christian symbolism: The prickly leaves remind us of the crown of thorns, and one English legend tells of how the cross was made of holly. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. Any pine cones, nuts, or seedpods used to decorate the wreath also symbolize life and resurrection. All together, the wreath of evergreens depicts the immortality of our soul and the new, everlasting life promised to us through Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, who entered our world becoming true man and who was victorious over sin and death through His own passion, death, and resurrection.
|
|
PosadasSaturday, December 17 at 6:00 pm
St. Athanasius Church of St. John Newman Parish Sunday, December 18 at 6:00 pm Chapel at St. Nicholas Church of St. John XXIII Parish Sunday, December 23 at 6:00 pm Chapel at St. Nicholas Church of St. John XXIII Parish |
