REFLECTION ON OUR ADVENT SEASON
Next weekend November 28, 2021, marks the beginning of the first week of Advent season, a four-week liturgical season of preparation that leads us into Christmas season. The General Norms for the liturgical Year and Calendar, issued by the Holy See in March 1969 as part of the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council, gives an excellent description of the season: “Advent has a twofold character: as a season to prepare us for Christmas when Christ’s first coming to us is remembered; as a season when that remembrance directs the mind and heart to await Christ’s Second coming at the end of time.” The Second Vatican Council explains further: “Advent is thus a period for devout and joyful expectation.”
Our ladies are ready to prepare the Advent wreath for us. Big thanks! An Advent wreath has four candles (3 are purple and one is pink) symbolizing Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace of the four weeks of the Advent. Some parishes add the fifth candle, a white one. It is lit on Christmas to remind Christians of the light Jesus brings to the world.
Here are a few ways our Parish will help you to have a fruitful season of Advent. The Parish has ordered these materials : Daily Reflection for Advent & Christmas, Waiting in Joyful Hope 2021-2022; Living Faith, Daily Catholic Devotions; and The Word Among Us, Daily Meditations for November 28-December 31. Each day of Advent you will receive a meditation on the day’s Mass readings in your Flocknote email. You also will find many resources in FORMED.org for Advent and Christmas seasons.
With regard to the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession, Fr. James O’ Connor, the pastor of St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Elkins, will hear Confessions in our Holy Rosary parish on Saturday, December 11, 2021, from 5pm to 6:45pm. He also will be the main celebrant for that Saturday’s Vigil Mass at 7pm.
Fr. John and I will be available any day/time to hear confession also. Please just call the Parish center at 304-472-3414.
We also will continue to celebrate daily Mass on Tuesday through Friday with our Holy Hour on Wednesday at 6 pm and Mass at 7 pm and Silent Adoration and Benediction on First Friday at 6 pm and Mass at 7pm.
Kindly let us know if you need any assistance to help you have a fruitful and a blessed season of Advent.
Have a grace filled and blessed Advent Season,
Fr. Ed Tetteh, SVD
