On the
first day of Advent,
Catholic families will set up an Advent wreath -- a wreath of greenery
adorned by a set of four candles -- typically, three violet-colored,
and one rose-colored to match the priest's vestments on each of the
days the candles are lit. The wreath is either set upon a table
(especially the dining room table), on the family altar, on pedestals,
an end table, etc., or it can by suspended by ribbons from the ceiling,
such as from a light fixture. The candles can be long, slim tapers,
small votives, or fat pillars. There can be pinecones and such adorning
the greenery, but because Advent is a penitential season, it shouldn't
be highly decorated with colorful ornaments.
The circular
shape of the wreath is a symbol of eternity, and the greenery
symbolizes hope and renewal. The colors of the typically-used violet
and rose candles symbolize penance and joy, respectively.
Each
candle also represents one of the four weeks of Advent, and one
thousand years of the four thousand years that (at least
metaphorically) passed between Adam and Eve to Christ's coming.
The
first candle also recalls the Patriarchs; the second candle recalls the
Prophets; the third candle recalls St. John the Baptist; and the final
candle recalls Our Lady.
If colored candles are used, the violet
candles are lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent, and
the rose candle is lit on the third Sunday ("Gaudete Sunday," when the
priest also wears rose vestments at Mass), a day of rejoicing because
the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent and anticipate
Christmas. In any case, whether colored or white candles are used, one
more candle is lit each week at dinnertime, the progressive lighting of
the candles symbolizing the expectation and hope surrounding our
Lord’s
first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming
to judge the living and the dead. The candles are kept burning
throughout the Sunday supper, and then are immediately blown out
afterward (candles can be replaced and greenery freshened as needed).
PASTOR:
REV. JOHN GILLIS
1st Sunday of Advent – November 29, 2009
1st Sunday of Advent
During Advent the Church makes an appeal for an improvement in our
lives and for a new depth of sincerity to our religion.
It calls on us to make a fresh start at building a closer relationship
with Christ through prayer, penance and works of mercy.
Readings for 2nd Sunday
of Advent:
1st Reading: Baruch 5.1-9
2nd Reading: Philippians 1.3-6, 8-11
Gospel: Luke 3.1-6
Parish Council Meeting:
Monday, November 30 at 7 pm in St. Joseph’s Room.
Mission Committee Meeting:
Tuesday, December 1, 7:00 pm in St. Joseph’s Room.
Catholic
Women’s League:
Wine and Cheese on Wednesday, December 2 at 7:00 pm in St.
Joseph’s Room. All ladies are invited! Door prizes
and
50/50 draw.
A Big Thank You:
for your
continuous support of our shelters and homeless through donations of
soap, shampoo etc... The “Youth Shelter”
and
“In From the Cold” are also in great need of socks!
Flower Donations for
Christmas:
This year we will be accepting donations towards the purchase of
flowers for the church during the Christmas Season that begins on the
25 of December. I would ask that you not bring
poinsettias
or other flower arrangements but instead make a donation in the name of
a loved one. When the Christmas Bulletin is published it will
contain the names of the loved ones who flowers have been placed in
memory of, and the names of the donors. Envelopes will be
placed
in the pews during the Advent season and you are asked to place them in
the collection basket no later than December 20th . Thank you
for
your co-operation in this matter.
Thank you for praying for
our armed forces . Please continue to pray for
those now serving in foreign lands: Carl Turenne & David
Hannon.
2010 Envelopes are now
available. If you would like envelopes please call
Christine at the parish office.
Do you have questions
about parts of the Mass, prayer; Catholic celebrations or any part of
the Catholic Faith?
There will be a new section in the bulletin where Father Gillis will
answer questions submitted via the collection basket. One question and
answer will appear weekly. (A special thank you to one of our parish
families for this idea.)
Entertainment to
Seniors’ Committee:
of the St. Joseph’s Pastoral Council is sponsoring an
afternoon
of musical entertainment, featuring the local talent of Chris Murphy
and Jon McLurg in St. Joseph’s parish hall on Palace Rd. on
Thursday, December 3rd from 1 to 3 pm. Please come and bring
a
friend for an afternoon of Christmas Cheer. Refreshments will be
served; a free will offering would be appreciated. For further info,
please call Marie 613-542-0653.
Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic
High School: will be presenting Les Miserables, December
9, 10, 11, 12.
Curtain time is 7:30 pm. $15 – Adults and $10
–
Students. For tickets please call 613-545-1902
@2200.
Liturgy Schedule
December 5 & 6
READERS
EUCHARISTIC
MINISTERS
CHILDREN’S
LITURGY
Church
5:30 pm
Tracy Ringrose
As Arranged
8:45 am
Patricia Croxford
As Arranged
St Martha
10:30 am
Cynthia St. Jacques
Lori Williams
As Arranged
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED
SACRAMENT IN THE CHAPEL EVERY THURSDAY INTENTIONS:
VOCATIONS + SANCTITY OF LIFE + ALL WHO ARE ILL
Our goal is to have at least 2 or 3 adorers or a family for each hour-
If you can give an hour to Jesus PLEASE call Shirley 613-548-3091 or
Karla 613-546-0285
Statue of Mary
( please leave in t he entrance after the Mass you attend –
for the next family)
Please Sign up in the Entryway of the Church!
