ADVENT and CHRISTMAS - 2007
CHURCH OF ST. MARY, OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY – ARDMORE
CHURCH OF ST. CECILIA – HEALDTON
CHURCH OF ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA – TISHOMINGO
ADVENT
Advent is a season to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ in glory at the end of time. We look back to Jesus’ first coming at Bethlehem to better focus our attention on his Second Coming. In the meanwhile, Christ comes to us in many ways, in prayer and sacrament, in Word and in Church, in service and generosity, in family and friends and he comes especially in the Eucharist when we receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Our Advent prayer is the Greek word, μαρανάθα (maranátha), meaning, “Come, Lord Jesus!” As Mary the Mother of God physically gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem, our task is to spiritually give birth to Christ everyday of our lives – in our family love and friendships, in gifts given and received, in prayers and sacrifices for those closest to us and to strangers alike…COME, LORD JESUS!
PARISH OFFICES CLOSED
Monday, December 10th from 12:00-3:00 p.m.
From 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 21st until Wednesday, December 26th at 9:00 a.m.
From 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 28th until Wednesday, January 2nd at 9:00 a.m.
Phones are not answered during times indicated that offices are closed.
Messages may be left.
RECTORY OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, December 2nd..………………………………………………………….……….….. 4:00-9:00 p.m.
Price of Admission – Christmas Tree Ornament from those who wish to bring one (not required)!
SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK
A Liturgy of Healing and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be offered at all scheduled Masses in all our parishes on the Second Sunday of Advent, December 8th – 9th
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION
Individual Celebration of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
ARDMORE: on Saturdays during Advent, 4:15-5:00 p.m. in English and 7:00-7:15 p.m. bilingual
Friday, December 21st, 3:00-3:30 p.m. and 7:30-8:00 p.m. in English
MISSIONS: Confessions are heard 15 minutes before scheduled Mass
Confessions will not be heard from after 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Sunday, December 23rd through
Wednesday, December 26th except in grave danger of death
Communal Celebration of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation – bilingual
CHURCH OF ST. JOSEPH, ADA
Tuesday, December 4th 7:00 p.m.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS, MADILL
Monday, December 10th . 6:00 p.m.
CHURCH OF ST. MARY, OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY, ARDMORE
Thursday, December 13th 7:00 p.m.
CHURCH OF ST. ANNE, ELGIN
Monday, December 17th 7:00 p.m.
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED MOTHER CHURCH, DUNCAN
Wednesday, December 19th 7:00 p.m.
HOLY HOURS
These are opportunities to focus our attention on the real reasons for celebration during this season. Holy Hours include Benediction, Rosary, and a Meditation:
ARDMORE:
Sunday, December 9th …………………………..……………………………………… 3:30-4:45 p.m.
A More Generous Understanding of Christmas Commercialism
Sunday, December 16th …………………………………………………………………. 3:30-4:45 p.m.
“Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus!”
SOLEMNITY – IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
Patroness of the United States of America
Holy Day of Obligation for all Catholics
In 1792, Archbishop John Carroll placed the new nation of the United States of America under the powerful protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of her Immaculate Conception and in reliance upon her motherly superintendence.
ARDMORE, Friday, December 7th (also First Friday)………………………….……9:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Our Lady of Guadalupe has been the feast of the Faith in Mexico since 1531. In 1992 (500th anniversary of the voyage of Christopher Columbus), Pope John Paul II placed the whole Western Hemisphere under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the only recognized image of Mary showing her pregnant and with some physical features of all races. Our Blessed Lady’s greatness primarily lies in her giving birth to Jesus. We are to do in spiritual and emotional ways what she did in a physical way – give birth to the Christ! The Jesus she bore and the Christ that we bear is always transcultural and a member of every race, language, and way of life.
Mañanitas – Special Prayers honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe in Spanish in the Church at Ardmore at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 12th.
Mass and Fiesta – A special bilingual Mass will be celebrated at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12th to be followed by a fiesta in the parish hall at Ardmore. All parishioners, Hispanic and Anglo, are cordially invited to attend.
NOVENARIO
Preparation for the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Begins a week long celebration, every evening (Monday, December 3rd through Tuesday, December 11th) there is a choral recitation of the Rosary in Spanish at 6:00 p.m. except when Mass is otherwise scheduled (December 7th and 8th) then Mass substitutes for the Rosary.
POSADO
Preparation for the celebration of Christmas
This is a fiesta for adults and for children after Mass on Sunday, December 16th in the parish hall. Substantial hors d’oeuvres and finger foods will be provided. All parishioners, Hispanic and Anglo, are cordially invited to attend.
OTHER ITEMS OF IMPORTANCE
· PARISH CAROLING – Sunday, December 23rd, 4:00 p.m., Refreshments/snacks before caroling
· PARISH STAFF CHRISTMAS – Monday, December 10th from 12:00-3:00 p.m., (offices closed)
· CHURCH DECORATIONS:
· Special Collection at all the Masses on December 15th-16th
· Decorating may begin after Mass (after Holy Hour in Ardmore) on December 16th
· Flowers are not be placed in the church worship area or Christmas lights may not be turned on until after Sunday Masses December 23rd (December 16th in Healdton)
CHRISTMAS MASSES
CHURCH OF ST. CECILIA in HEALDTON
Monday, December 24th …………………………….…………….………………………….. 4:00 p.m.
Vigil Mass of Christmas (Christmas Midnight Mass prayers)
CHURCH OF ST. MARY, OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY in ARDMORE
Monday, December 24th ……………………………………………………….………….….. 7:00 p.m.
Family Oriented Christmas Mass (Christmas Midnight Mass prayers)
To add greater solemnity, all the Mass Servers are cordially invited to participate in Midnight Mass
provided they attend the mandatory practice on Monday, December 24th at 10:00 a.m. (lunch available at noon)
CHURCH OF ST. MARY, OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY in ARDMORE
Monday, December 24th ………………………………..………..…………………….……. 10:45 p.m.
Midnight Solemn Christmas Mass of the Angels
Instrumental Music begins at 9:45 p.m.
Christmas Carol Service begins at 10:00 p.m.
To add greater solemnity, all the Mass Servers are cordially invited to participate in Midnight Mass
provided they attend the mandatory practice on Monday, December 24th at 11:00 a.m. (lunch to follow)
CHURCH OF ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA in TISHOMINGO
Tuesday, December 25th.……………………………………….……………………….……. 10:00 a.m.
Christmas Day Mass
CHURCH OF ST. MARY, OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY in ARDMORE
Tuesday, December 25th en Español ………………………….…………………………….. 11:00 a.m.
Misa de Navidad
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Blessing of Families during Mass
Regular Mass Schedule – December 29th-30th
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD – NEW YEAR’S
Holy Day of Obligation – both Masses in English
ARDMORE:
Monday, December 31st …………………………………………………………………..…. 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 1st ………………………………………………………………….……. 10:45 a.m.
SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
Regular Mass Schedule – Saturday & Sunday, January 5th-6th
20 – K + M + B – 08
The current year is spaced with the initials of the Magi (Kaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar). Putting these letters on the lintels (doorposts) of a home or a room is an old Polish prayer that, as the Magi found Jesus at Bethlehem guided by a star, may all who enter this (house, place, room) be guided by divine light to find Jesus, our Lord and Savior, here!