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 Season Schedule
Advent Masses:
Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12 and 19
(Saturday Mass at 5 p.m.)
8:30 and 10:30 a.m.; 5:30 p.m.
Advent Confessions:
Tuesday, Nov. 30, 7-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 7, 7-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 14, 7-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 21, 7-8 p.m.
And every Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
Holy Day of Obligation
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Christmas Season Schedule
Christmas Eve - Friday, Dec. 24
Join us for caroling a half hour before each Mass
3 p.m. Church - Children's Choir and Handbell Choir
3 p.m. Gym - Sunday Evening Band
5 p.m. – Sunday Evening Band
9 p.m. - HNOJ Choir and Orchestra
Christmas Day - Saturday, Dec. 25
9:30 - Contemporary Choir
Join us for a 15-minute prelude before Mass
(No 5 p.m. Mass)
Feast of the Holy Family - Sunday, Dec. 26
8:30 and 10:30 a.m.; 5:30 p.m.
(Note there is no 5 p.m. Anticipatory Mass on Dec. 25)
Solemnity of the Holy Mother of God - Saturday, Jan. 1
(Since this solemnity falls on a Saturday, it is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year)
Friday, Dec. 31, at 5:30 p.m.
(No 8 a.m. Mass on Dec. 31)
Saturday, Jan. 1, at 9:30 a.m.
Epiphany of the Lord - Sunday, Jan. 2
Saturday, Jan. 1, at 5 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 2, at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.; 5:30 p.m.
Schedule Changes
School Christmas Break
Monday, Dec. 20 – Monday, Jan. 3
Parish Offices Closed
Friday, Dec. 24
Monday, Dec. 27
Friday, Dec. 31 at noon
Monday, Jan. 3
No Confessions:
Saturday, Dec. 25
Advent Daily Email
Below are Chris Kostelc's top three pics for Advent daily emails:
Dynamic Catholic - Best Advent Ever
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/best-advent-ever.html
Word on Fire - Bishop Barron’s Daily Advent Reflections
https://www.adventreflections.com
Augustine Institute - The Road to Bethlehem
https://advent.augustineinstitute.org
BONUS Check out
USCCB Advent Calendar
https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year-and-calendar/advent