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ADVENT BEGINS ON SUNDAY,
NOVEMBER 29th
What is Advent?
Advent is the beginning of a new liturgical year for the
Roman Catholic Church. On the first day of Advent, which begins
this year on December 2nd, the Church celebrates its New Year's
Day. The date for the beginning of Advent falls each year on the
Sunday closest to November 30th - the feast day of Saint Andrew
the Apostle.
Is Advent the same as Christmas?
Sometimes people make the mistake of thinking that Advent is
part of the Christmas celebration. In fact, Advent is a separate
time of preparation all its own. For the Catholic Church,
Christmas doesn't begin until the first Mass is celebrated on
Christmas Eve and it continues until the "Octave of the
Epiphany" on January 12th.
Advent is given to us as a time to prepare our souls for the
coming of the Lord. This season is very similar to Lent which
helps us to prepare for Easter. In modern times we are tempted
to skip over the penitential aspects of Advent and focus on the
joy of Christmas. This is a great tragedy. Focusing only on the
joy denies the truth: the Christ Child is our Lord and Savior
Who will suffer and die for our salvation.
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Sacrament of
Reconciliation Celebrations
at Most Blessed Sacrament:
Saturday, December 5, 2015 - 11:15 until 12
Noon
&
Saturday, December 19, 2015
12:15 until 1:00 p.m.
In the listed Reconciliation Services below several priests from our Archdiocese
are present to hear confessions during these Advent Reconciliation
Services. Join in the call from our Lord to renounce sin and
embrace His grace.
"’Prepare the way of the Lord,’ John said
through a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."
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Reconciliation Services at Neighboring
Parishes - 7p.m. |
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St. Thomas More, Decatur |
TBA |
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St. John the Evangelist, Hapeville |
Monday,
December 14 |
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St. Matthew, Tyrone |
TBA |
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Sts. Peter & Paul, Decatur |
Tuesday,
December 1 |
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Shrine of the Immaculate Conception,
Atlanta
St. Anthony of Padua,
Atlanta
Our Lady of Lourdes,
Atlanta |
TBA |
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St. John Vianney, Lithia Springs |
TBA |
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Cathedral of Christ the King |
TBA |
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Immaculate Heart of Mary, Atlanta |
TBA |
Special Holy Days and Sacred
Moments during the Advent Season
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DECEMBER 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary - A Holy Day to praise God
through attending Mass to celebrate the sacrifice of
Jesus Christ.
Masses are celebrated Tuesday, December 8 at 9:00 a.m.
& 7:00 p.m.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe
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ADVENT WREATH: Find out more about why we use
"Advent Wreaths" in our homes and churches.
Advent
Wreath Information
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JESSE TREE: Find out more about what a
"Jesse Tree" is and why it is used and honored in
Advent.
Jesse Tree Information
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