November 29, 2009

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).

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

Listen to the Daily Readings on your computer

Christmas Masses

December 24th	5:00 pm at St. Martha School
December 24th	7:00 pm at the Church
December 24th	9:00 pm at the Church
December 25th	10:00 am at the Church

Confessions: Monday, December 14th at 7 pm.

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.

Saturday	Nov 28	5:30 pm	Wanita & Julie Gourdier – Church
Sunday	Nov 29	8:45 am 10:30 am	Bernard Mascaro – Church Parishioners – St. Martha School
Monday	Nov 30	9:00 am	Loretta Adams
Tuesday	Dec 1	9:00 am	Mario Soares
Wednesday	Dec 2	9:00 am	Shirley Denis
Friday	Dec 4	8:00 am 9:30 am	Holy Hour Tracy Collett- Holy Name School Mass (at Church)
Saturday	Dec 5	5:30 pm	Bill Dickison – Church
Sunday	Dec 6	8:45 am 10:30 am	Gaston DeBernardi –Church Parishioners

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