Advent Events at Holy Trinity Parish:
Wednesday, December 14th, 7-9pm: Advent Summit: an evening of Praise and Worship, Adoration, and Confession. Summit is a night of encounter with Jesus, specifically through Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We will hear a talk, and have an opportunity to experience prayer ministry. If you are unsure if you would be interested in attending, we urge you to come! Come and experience Jesus in a new way. Come with an expectation that God will work in your heart. Come and prepare your heart for Jesus’ birth at Christmas.
Advent and the Sacrament of Reconciliation: In addition to our weekly scheduled times for confession (Fridays from 8:30-8:50am and Saturdays from 3:30-4:15pm) we are offering additional times for the sacrament of reconciliation this Advent. As mentioned above, during the Advent Summit (Wednesday, December 14th, 7-9pm); on Thursday, December 15th from 7–9pm and on Saturday, December 17th from 10am until noon. Come and experience the mercy and grace of this sacrament. Here’s a guided examination of conscience that might be of use.
Be An Angel Campaign: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is holding their annual Advent Be An Angel fundraising campaign. Envelopes for donations are available in the foyer. E-transfer donations can also be made to sjv_ssvp@outlook.com. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and those they serve, greatly appreciates your support.
Christmas Project: Throughout Advent, parishes across the diocese are invited to collect donations for residents of local mental health and addictions facilities. These items will be given as gifts this Christmas. Suggested items include: winter coats, boots, gloves, hats, pajamas, sweaters, housecoats, underwear, socks, sweat suits, flannel shirts, sweatshirts, t-shirts, slippers, purses, candy, chocolates, make-up, toiletries, nail polish, new books and magazines, gift cards. A few notes: please no scented items; no used clothing, footwear or other items; there are more male clients than female clients. (There are green sheets of paper with this information on a table in the church entrance). Please tag any donations as ‘Christmas Program’ and place them in the Beacon House box in the church foyer. Thanks for your support!
Beginning the Church’s liturgical year, Advent (from, “ad-venire” in Latin or “to come to”) is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.
The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas.
From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back. But the scripture readings during Advent tell us not to waste our time with predictions. Advent is not about speculation. Our Advent readings call us to be alert and ready, not weighted down and distracted by the cares of this world (Lk 21:34-36).
Like Lent, the liturgical color for Advent is purple since both are seasons that prepare us for great feast days. Advent also includes an element of penance in the sense of preparing, quieting, and disciplining our hearts for the full joy of Christmas.
As we prepare for Christmas, we note some differences to the Mass that should are observed during the season. For instance, the priest wears violet or purple during Advent, except for the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) when rose may be worn. Aside from what the priest wears, other aesthetic changes in the Church can include a more modestly decorated altar.
The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, we focus on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord at Christmas. In particular, the “O” Antiphons are sung during this period and have been by the Church since at least the eighth century. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming of Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but of present ones as well.
Advent devotions including the Advent wreath, remind us of the meaning of the season.
Here are some suggested resources to help us prepare the way this Advent.
Attend Mass on the four Sundays of Advent. Go back and watch the homily again here on our YouTube channel.
Read the daily Mass readings throughout Advent.
Many individuals and families attended our Advent Wreath Making Event on November 26th– thanks to the Knights for hosting! Here are prayers that can be prayed when lighting the candles on your family Advent wreath.
The Atlantic Ignatian Spirituality Centre (Jesuits) and Barat Spirituality Centre (Sisters of the Sacred Heart) are offering a variety of programming over the Advent season. For example, the Ignatian Centre is offering a short retreat called: An Advent Taste of the First Spiritual Exercises on December 3.
Consider some spiritual reading. You’ll find some helpful resources locally at Veritas Catholic Books and Gifts at 30 Farnham Gate Rd. in Clayton Park.
Have you checked out FORMED? Sign up to receive daily emails with video reflections on the daily Mass readings by Dr. Tim Gray; or check out this series of Advent Reflections by Dr. Michael Patrick Barber called “The True Meaning of Christmas” and learn the meaning behind your favourite Christmas pastimes. Or listen to this audio presentation by Dr. Scott Hahn called Prepare the Way of The King.
Sign up to participate in this online Pray More Advent Retreat.
Or follow the Dynamic Catholic’s Best Advent Ever plan.
1st Sunday of Advent: November 27th
2nd Sunday of Advent: December 4th
3rd Sunday of Advent: December 11th
4th Sunday of Advent: December 18th
