Beginning the Church’s liturgical year, Advent 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 also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas.

Advent wreath: The advent wreath appears in church on the first Sunday of advent. The three purple candles on the wreath symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose-colored candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday or the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent.

Nativity scene and Christmas trees:  All are welcome to help set-up the nativity and other Christmas decorations in church. Decorating will take place after 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Dec. 9. 

2018 Advent Penance Services:

Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church – Veseli
Monday, Dec. 17 at 7:00 p.m.

Immaculate Conception Church – Lonsdale
Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 7:00 p.m.

St. Nicholas Church – Elko New Market
Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 7:00 p.m.

Private Confessions will be at Most Holy Trinity on Saturday, Dec. 22 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year, second only to Easter itself. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts, and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him.

The liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Below is the 2018 Christmas-season Mass schedule at Most Holy Trinity:

Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24
Midnight Mass at 12:00 a.m.

Christmas, Tuesday, Dec. 25
9:00 a.m.

Solemnity of of Mary, Tuesday, Jan. 1
9:00 a.m. (5:00 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31)

Epiphany of the Lord, Sunday, Jan. 6
9:00 a.m. (5:00 p.m. Saturday)