Advent is December 1 to December 24, 2024
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Advent is December 1 to December 24, 2024
To help you fully enter in to the Advent season visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website Click here.
Take time to reflect on how you will use the upcoming weeks to prepare your heart for Christmas.
Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas. The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas.
From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back. But the scripture readings during Advent tell us not to waste our time with predictions. Advent is not about speculation. Our Advent readings call us to be alert and ready, not weighted down and distracted by the cares of this world. Like Lent, the liturgical color for Advent is purple since both are seasons that prepare us for great feast days. Advent also includes an element of penance in the sense of preparing, quieting, and disciplining our hearts for the full joy of Christmas.
(USCCB)
"It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope."
– Pope Benedict XVI
For Saint Paul Advent Flyer Click here. Find links to Advent Adventure (Flocknote access to Free Activities), Rooted (Daily Advent Reflections), Retreat to the National Shrine Grotto (with EWTN, Fr. Leonard and Fr. Patrick Mary) and more.Christmas donations:
We appreciate your continued support of our parish! Christmas donations can be made via VANCO, our safe and secure online giving program. For online giving, Click here or text 885-907-4262, enter an amount in the message box then send, you will receive a reply text with a link to complete your transaction. Online donations can be one time or repeat transactions. There are also Flower Donation envelopes in the Narthex, if you wish to contribute to decorating our church you may drop your envelope in the collection basket or at the rectory.Mark your calendar -
Sunday, December 8, 2024 - Breakfast with Santa! Sponsored by Saint Paul Men’s Club at the Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, December 8 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM in the Parish Center. Adults $8, Kids $4, Family Max of $25.
Reconciliation - Every Saturday from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Additional opportunities for Reconciliation during Advent - Tuesday December 3 after daily Mass, Wednesday December. 4 from 5:45 PM - 6:45 PM, Wednesday December 11 after daily Mass, and Tuesday December 17 from 5:45 PM - 6:45 PM.Monday, December 9, 2024 - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be celebrated with Mass at Saint Paul at 9:00 AM (Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus will follow) and Mass at 7:00 PM. Immaculate Conception, December 8, falls on Sunday this year which coincides with the Second Sunday of Advent. The USCCB has indicated celebrations will be Monday, December 9 and will be recognized as a holy day of obligation. Cardinal Gregory has decreed that all Roman Catholics of the Archdiocese of Washington, no matter where they may be, and all other Roman Catholics actually present in the Archdiocese on the feast day, are dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Monday, December 9, 2024.Friday, December 13, 2024 - Christmas Pageant! You are invited to Saint Paul Christmas Pageant at 7:30 PM in Church to watch the story of the first Christmas. “Let the children come unto me, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Help tell the story of the birth of Jesus. Volunteers are needed, To view the flyer Click here.
Wednesday, December 25, 2024 – Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord
Christmas Mass Schedule -
Tuesday, December 24, 2024 - Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve Mass will be celebrated at 4:00 PM (Contemporary Music Group - Caroling at 3:30 PM), 6:00 PM (Cantor and Organist) and 8:00 PM (Festival Choir - Caroling at 7:30 PM)
Christmas Day Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM (Youth Choir)On behalf of all Saint Paul clergy and staff, know that our prayers go with you in this sacred season.
