Each of us grew up with a different way of counting down the days to Christmas. Some families listened to Christmas music by day and watched Christmas movies each night. Other families lit the purple and pink candles of an Advent Wreath week after week until it is almost Christmas. Some of us slowly opened one door at a time on a family advent calendar. Whatever your tradition, the waiting in anticipation of the celebration of Jesus’ birth was one of the great joys of childhood.
In our HNOJ family, we mark the days in waiting for Jesus to come by processing candles and incense in the dark and prayerfully placing them in our large Advent Wreath. We anxiously wait for Jesus to appear in our nativity scene in the corner of our sanctuary. As we sing quietly, wait for Jesus, and witness the lone candle shining in the darkness, we are reminded that no matter how dark things might see, the Light of the World is coming.
We welcome you to experience Advent and Christmas festivities at our parish and school throughout the month of December.
Advent Parish Reconciliation
On Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. several priests will be at Holy Name of Jesus to administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In this sacrament you place your sins at the foot of the cross and Jesus in His mercy applies His loving mercy to wash away your sins, for you to begin anew. This sacrament is a beautiful way to experience God’s abundant mercy and to prepare your heart for Christ’s coming at Christmas.
A note about incense
We will be using incense at the 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday Liturgies during the season of Advent. For those with sensitivities, you may wish to consider joining us at our 5:00 p.m. (Sat.) and 8:30 a.m. Liturgies where we will refrain from using any incense.
Incense will be used at the 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Christmas Eve Masses. There will be no incense at the 3 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass, nor the 9:30 a.m. Christmas Day.
Advent Podcast
Christmas
December 23, 2018 - 6:00pmThe final episode of our Advent and Christmas podcast. Hear What Child is This? sung by Mandy Johnson and Jennifer Bevington, The Glory of the Father sung by our Rome Pilgrimage Choir, a reading from Isaiah, and a final reflection by Fr. Steve Ulrick.
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 17, 2018 - 11:00amThis week our School Schola sings, "Love Came Down," we have a reading from St. Luke's Gospel, and Fr. Evans shares a reflection on Mary.
The Third Sunday of Advent
December 11, 2018 - 11:05amOur Advent and Christmas walk continues with our Sunday Evening Mass arrangement of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, a reading from Zephaniah, and a reflection by Fr. Bryce Evans
The Second Sunday of Advent
November 27, 2018 - 11:24amOur walk through Advent and Christmas begins on the Second Sunday of Advent with a new arrangement of the King Shall Come When Morning Dawns, a reading from Luke's Gospel, and a reflection by Fr. Steve Ulrick.
