Dear Parishioners,
Advent is a joyful season of preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus. To do this is not easy. Christmas preparation can overwhelm us with shopping lists and the hustle of the holidays. While Advent scriptures direct our attention to “open your heart in anticipation of the Lord’s coming”, we may have a hard time looking forward to the “end of the world.” Our focus this Advent is: “Making Room for the Lord”. Each week we will reflect closely for ways to enhance your preparation time.
Christian people are beginning to rediscover the meaning and power of Advent. No longer captivated by the countdown of 20, 19, and 18 shopping days until Christmas, we are beginning to see what a rich experience that Advent can be when separated from the mad rush to buy, buy and buy. Advent is loaded with opportunities to prepare ourselves for the genuine joy our celebration of Christmas is meant to bring.
Use this time to enrich your experience of Advent. A few minutes of reflective prayer each day will help your Advent to be rewarding as you discover more deeply the true “reasons for the season.” Read the bulletin each week for personal and family activities that you may wish to use as you make room for the Lord in your life.
Please utilize the Advent folder you’ve been given to help you to be mindful of some form of preparation and sacrifice. Please complete the folder and bring it to Church sometime before Christmas.
Let us be mindful of one another this season of preparation for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. Let us prepare our hearts for His coming! I pray that when you come to Christmas Mass you will be able to proclaim:
“Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere, Go tell is on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.”
Be assured of my prayers for you during this Advent and Christmas season. I pray that the Lord may continue to bless you and give you this peace, love and joy of the new born king, Jesus the Lord.
Peace and love in the Lord,
Very Rev. Michael P. Jacques, S.S.E., V.F.
Pastor
ADVENT/CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011 – 6:00 p.m. - Cathedral Deanery Penance Service- St. Augustine Church, 1201 Gov. Nicholls Street
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 – 8:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. – Feast of the Immaculate Conception: Holy Day of Obligation- Masses at SPC Church
Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 10 & 11, 2011 – 3rd Sunday of Advent – Sat., Dec. 10th Confessions (SPC Church) – 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.; Vigil Mass at 4:00 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 11th – Masses at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
Advent Giving: Please bring the following items to Mass: face cloths, undergarments, sleep pants for men, women and children, towels, deodorant.
Monday, December 12, 2011 – Bible Study – 6:00 p.m. – SPC School Hall
Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 17 & 18, 2011 – 4th Sunday of Advent, Sat., Dec. 17th – Confessions (SPC Church) – 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.; Vigil Mass at 4:00 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 18th – Masses at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
Advent Giving: Please bring the following items to Mass: baby diapers, pullups, lotion, powder, bottles, bibs, blankets.
Sunday, December 18, 2011 – SPC Family Christmas Dinner – 3:00 p.m. – SPC School Hall; SPC Christmas Concert – 6:00 p.m. – SPC Church – Featured Performers: The Voices of Peter Claver, the SPC Young Adult Choir, The SPC Children’s Choir, the SPC Liturgical Dancers and Drummer
Monday, December 19, 2011 – 6:00 p.m. – Bible Study – SPC School Hall
Saturday, December 24, 2011 – Christmas Eve – Children’s Christmas Eve Mass at 6:00 p.m. and Midnight Mass at 11:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 24, 2011 – Christmas Day Masses: 9:00 & 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, December 31, 2011 – New Year’s Eve Day Mass – 4:00 p.m. – Vigil Mass
Sunday, January 1, 2012 – New Year’s Day Masses: 9:00 & 11:30 a.m.
