Weekend of December 11-12, 2021

Dear Friends,

We celebrate this weekend the Third Sunday of Advent, traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, which literally means “Rejoice.” This is taken from the first line of the Introit, or Entrance Chant, of the Mass for this Sunday: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again, rejoice!”

            This beautiful reminder is taken from the Letter to the Philippians, and calls us to remember that, not only are we half way through our Advent celebration, with Christmas just two weeks away, but our salvation is also close at hand, for the Savior who brings us God’s life and love is always near to us, and will, indeed, return one day, as He promised, to gather all of us who believe into the fullness of God’s reign. (Sometimes this Sunday is referred to as Rose Sunday because of the color of the vestments worn on this one day of the Advent season.)
           
I remind you that this Thursday evening, December 16^th, at 7:00 P.M. in the lower church, we will be celebrating our Advent Parish Penance Service. There is, in my opinion, no better way to prepare our hearts for Christmas than by celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance). Going to confession allows us to celebrate the Savior’s birth with mind and heart renewed. We will have a number of kind and gentle priests here to celebrate the sacrament with you. I guarantee you that you will not be judged, or lectured, or certainly yelled at: you will be welcomed with open arms, and simply given an opportunity to experience the power of God’s love and grace. It is a perfect opportunity to start fresh in these final Advent days. Please join us, and bring a friend or two! 

            I remind you that we hear confessions every Saturday from 3:15 to 4:15 in the lower church, and that we will be hearing confessions next Saturday, December 18^th, from 2:45 to 4:15 P.M. in the lower church. This will be the final opportunity to celebrate this great sacrament before Christmas. There will be no confessions heard on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day.

On Sunday, December 19^th, at 7:00 P.M., we will be celebrating the ceremony of Lessons and Carols in our upper church. This beautiful liturgy, which will feature all of our choirs, is a wonderful way for us to celebrate the Advent season. This evening will be a fine opportunity for us to gather as a parish family, to sing carols, to listen to the Scriptures and other sacred readings of the season, and to get into the true spirit of what it is we celebrate at this sacred time. Please attend with your family members and neighbors!
           
            Please remember our Christmas schedule: Christmas Eve Masses are at 4:00 and 6:00 P.M. and 12:00 MIDNIGHT; Christmas Day Masses are at 6:30 and 9:15 A.M. and 12:00 NOON. 

            PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT EVEN THOUGH CHRISTMAS DAY IS ON SATURDAY THIS YEAR, THERE WILL BE NO 4:30 MASS ON CHRISTMAS DAY EVENING TO ANTICIPATE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26.

Please take note of our complete Christmas schedule, which is printed elsewhere in this bulletin. Remember to invite someone to join you for the celebration of this great feast here at Saint Timothy’s. Everyone has a place here!

Know that you and those you love are daily remembered in my Mass and my prayers.

                                                                                    Love and prayers,
                                                                                    Father Olivere