Advent and Christmas
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Dearly beloved, today our Savior is born; let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has been swallowed up; life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness. No one is shut out from this joy; all share the same reason for rejoicing. Our Lord, victor over sin and death, finding no man free from sin, came to free us all.
- St. Leo the Great -
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Advent Season
When you think of "advent," you might think of an advent calendar filled with chocolates, sweet treats, or other toys and gifts. However, in the Catholic faith, Advent is a quiet and prayerful time of waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus at Christmas and for his Second Coming! The Season of Advent also marks the beginning of the Church's liturgical year.
During Advent, we offer certain opportunities, such as:- Extended confession times
- Life-size nativity scene
- Anointing Mass
- Las Posadas (a Latin tradition celebrated in many countries depicting Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and their search for a place to stay)
During Advent, we also celebrate two major feast days - the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Dec. 8) and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12). On these days, our faith community celebrates with special Masses and/or festivities. -
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Christmas Season
For Catholics, Christmas is not just one day! The Christmas Season begins on Christmas Eve (December 24) and ends on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (January 2-8).
During the Christmas Season we also celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, on New Year's Day (January 1).
