Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Gaudete Sunday - Rejoice!
Depending on when December 25 falls determines how long Advent actually lasts (between three and four weeks).  This year it is the full four weeks since Christmas falls on a Sunday - please note the Christmas weekend schedule.  This means the Third Sunday of Advent is smack in the middle of the season. This is like the half-time break of a football game. It is a small oasis in the midst of the penitential season. At Mass the color rose is worn rather than violet to highlight our joyful penitential spirit. Today we take stock of how advent is going for us spiritually and then make adjustments if necessary to finish out well and be prepared for the Christmas season. And so, it is
Gaudete Sunday in that we rejoice for the Lord is near. At this point we make the transition from our focus on the Second Coming of Christ to the preparation of celebrating His Nativity. St. Lucy’s feast day, the Ember Days, and the “O Antiphons” are highlights of this second half of Advent.
For more info check here:
https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/rejoice-lord-is-near-gaudete-sunday-ember-days-and-o-antiphons/

The Gradual Approach
Since Advent is a penitential season and one of expectant preparation, the liturgical “mood” shifts. You have been hearing the “Adventy” music in the Mass settings. The church calls for minimal organ and instrumentation as well.  As for decorations, we take our time using a gradual approach. You have seen the purple curtains, the advent wreath, and the three wise men have begun their journey in the north part of the narthex. Now are unlit trees. After Gaudete Sunday the manger scene will appear, which we will bless at Mass. Then the home stretch readies us to celebrate
the Nativity of our Lord where all the flowers come and lights turned on.

Confessions Schedule for Advent
Speaking of preparing and penance, in addition to our regular parish confession schedule, our parish cluster will host
confession nights.  These three nights will have all the priests from the cluster at one parish to hear confessions. The
schedule is Tuesdays from 5-6pm on the following dates:
November 29 @ Queen of Heaven
December 6 @ Nativity Parish
December 13 @ St. Paul
December 20 @ St. Francis de Sales
If it has been a while since you have been to confession, take courage!  Just go! If you are unable to make these times, call me at the rectory and we can make an appointment. But please don’t wait until the last minute!
 
Christmas Mass Schedule
This year Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, which makes things interesting.  Christmas Eve is a Sat so there will not be regular confessions (because you have already gone with all the other opportunities this season, right?).
Christmas Vigil (Ordinary Form) at 4pm on Sat. December 24.
Midnight Mass (Extraordinary Form) - 12am December 25.
Christmas Day (Ordinary Form) at 10am

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr.