Keeping Advent at IHM

A FAMILY ADVENT OPEN HOUSE will be offered on the Third Sunday of Advent, December 12, 10:00 a.m - 1:30 p.m. in the historic church. Come hear beautiful Advent music, learn Advent customs from around the world and make Advent crafts for the home. All are welcome!
 
THE GIVING TREE helps make Christmas a day of joy for many in need in our neighborhood. “Virtual tags” are availabl here. Please purchase and wrap the requested gift, affix the tag to the outside of the wrapped gift, ad return it no later than Sunday, December 5. Thank you from the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
 
THE PARISH ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE is Monday, November 29, at 7:00 p.m. Our parish priests will have the assistance of a number of neighboring priests in the celebration of the sacrament. Plan now to make this healing evening part of your preparation for Christmas.

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION,the patronal feast of the Catholic Church in the United States, is December 8. Come honor the Mother of the Redeemer at the Tuesday 7:00 p.m. vigil Mass in Spanish or Wednesday at 8:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.
 
THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE is omitted on the liturgical calendar this year because December 12 is the Third Sunday of Advent. But the customary festivities will follow the 6:00 p.m. vigil Mass in Spanish on Saturday, December 11. All are welcome.


BLESSING OF EXPECTANT MOTHERS: As we hear the gospel of the Annunciation by the angel Gabriel to Mary, we will offer a special blessing for expectant mothers on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 19, at the 11:30 a.m. Mass in English and the 1:30 p.m. Mass in Spanish. All are welcome.

The Advent wreath is made of four candles—three purple and one rose—representing the Light of Christ com-ing into the world, and a circle of green branches, representing eternal life. Before the first candle is lighted, the household gathers for this blessing:

All make the sign of the cross: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The leader begins: Our help is in the name of the Lord. All respond: Who made heaven and earth. Then scripture is read from the family bible: Isaiah 9:1-7 (The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light...)

After a time of silence, all join in prayers of intercession and the Lord’s Prayer.

The leader then prays over the wreath: Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ: He is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples; his is the wisdom that teaches and guides us; he is the Savior of every nation. Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation. May he come quickly and not delay. We ask this through Christ our Lord. All respond: Amen.

The first candle is then lighted.

The leader says: May the light of Christ lead us to the joy of his Kingdom, now and forever.
All respond: Amen, making the sign of the cross. All end singing: O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appears. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel.

On each subsequent week of Advent as the candles are lighted, the house-hold joins in singing the verse of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel above. The rose-colored candle is lighted on the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete, or Rejoice! Sunday.