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HOME ADVENT WREATH SERVICE
1. The wreath, a circle, expresses God's unending eternity.
2. Evergreen symbolizes God's unchangeableness and our immortality.
3. Four candles, one for each week of Advent, represents the many
hundreds of years during which mankind awaited the Redeemer.
4. Violet candles and ribbon remind us of longing expectation.
5. The rose candle symbolizes the joy and hope awaiting Jesus' birthday.
6. Red ribbon stands for Jesus' blood shed on the cross.
The wreath in church is blessed before Saturday evening Mass. A violet candle is
lighted and burns during the Mass. On successive Saturday evenings, the second
violet candle is used, the rose candle and finally the last violet candle. As
Jesus' coming draws near, the brightness increases.
AT HOME, the blessing of the Advent wreath by the head of the family takes
place on the First Sunday of Advent. The following prayer can be used:
PARENT: Our help is in the name of the Lord. ALL: Who has made heaven and earth.
PARENT: Let us pray, O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth
Your blessings upon this wreath and grant that we who use it may prepare our
hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from you abundant graces.
Through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen.
(He sprinkles the wreath with Holy Water.)
(The daily Advent Wreath ceremony follows.)
FIRST WEEK: (To be repeated each day of first week.) The youngest child lights
the first purple candle and the following prayer is said:
PARENT: Lord, rouse Your power, we pray, and come; that we may deserve by Your
protection to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and by our
deliverance to be made free from them; You who are God, living and reigning with
God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. ALL: Amen.
(candle burns during meal)
SECOND WEEK:(To be repeated each day of second week) The oldest child lights the
first and second purple candles and the following prayer is said:
PARENT: Stir in our hearts Lord, to make ready the paths of Your only-begotten
Son, that through His coming we may become worthy to serve You with purified
minds. You who are God, living and reigning. ALL: Amen.
THIRD WEEK: (To be repeated each day of the third week) The mother lights the
first two purple candles and rose candle, and the following prayer is said:
PARENT: Lord, lend Your ear, we beg, to our prayers, and lighten the darkness of
our minds with the grace of Your coming. You who are God, living and reigning.
ALL: Amen. (The three candles are allowed to burn during the evening meal of the
third week)
FOURTH WEEK: (The father lights all four candles, and the following prayer is
said):
PARENT: Lord, rouse Your power, we pray, and come; lend Your great strength to
aid us; so that through the help of Your grace and by Your merciful forgiveness,
the good which our sins obstruct may be quickly brought to us, You who are God,
living and reigning. ALL: Amen.
COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Any Catholic individual searching for a way to better prepare for Christmas
doesn’t need to look any further than the parish confessional room. Do you want
to find peace? Do you want to grow spiritually? You are nervous because it has
been a long time since you have been to confession. Respond to the movement of
the Spirit within yourself and take the plunge. Don’t worry about what to say or
how to say it. You already know the manner in which you have displeased God by
your lifestyle. Mention those sins and request forgiveness. Holy Name carries
the reputation of strongly promoting the sacrament of forgiveness. Trust in
God’s mercy even if you haven’t been to confession in 4, 7, 10 or 15 years. Come
home to a loving Father waiting to forgive you. The Advent Adult Penance Service
is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 22nd at 7:00 PM.
ADVENT CONFESSIONS
As much as we strive for perfection, the known reality within each of us readily
admits to a state of sinfulness. To prepare properly for the coming of Christ at
Christmas requires spiritual conversion to His Gospel values. Confessing of sin
is integral to the conversion. The priests assigned to Holy Name will be hearing
confessions every Wednesday and Saturday at the regular scheduled hours. The
last week of Advent, confessions will be heard after each weekday Mass. In
addition, grade school CCD students will have the opportunity for the Sacrament
of Reconciliation on Tues., Dec. 15th at 3:00 PM; this also includes those
students in 7th & 8th grade; Holy Name school students on Wed., Dec. 16th at
10:30 AM; and the Parish Penance Service is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 22nd at
7:00 PM. High school students will have the availability for this Sacrament on a
given Sunday morning. Watching and preparing for the Coming of the Lord - become
part of the spiritual process.
SUGGESTED CHRISTMAS GENEROSITY OF $40.00
It is not too early to pray over one's Christmas stewardship to God and Holy
Name as we budget expenditures on gifts for both family members and friends at
this time of year. How senseless to exclude a generous gift to the Church
founded by Christ, who from all eternity planned this mystery of salvation
history. Indeed the Christmas story has touched our lives dramatically, allowing
ourselves to be called not only His disciples but indeed His adopted sisters and
brothers and heirs of His heavenly home.
We requested over the course of many, many years a minimum donation of $35.00 to
your venerable parish at Christmas. There are many parishioners capable of
donating $40.00 or above the suggested donation. We anticipate their response to
this Christmas Appeal to be based upon their ability to share more. Permit your
2009 Christmas Gift to Holy Name to be an unselfish one, coming from the heart
of a committed steward.
STEWARDSHIP OF TIME - HOW DO YOU USE TIME?
Now that a new Christmas is coming, and all of us try hard to “get into the
Christmas spirit,” whatever that is, do you have a sense that you might use your
time more wisely? That’s what the wise men did. Won’t you be wise at Christmas
time? It’s really God’s time - He gave it to you at birth, and He’ll take it
back from you at death.
YEAR FOR PRIESTS - THE GRANDEUR OF A PRIEST’S GRACE AND OFFICE
Priesthood necessarily involves the grace of the Holy Spirit. It was the
grandeur of both this grace and the priest’s office that led the young priest
St. Gregory of Nazianzus to say: “We must begin by purifying ourselves before
purifying others; we must be instructed to be able to instruct, become light to
illuminate, draw close to God to bring Him close to others, be sanctified to
sanctify...Who then is the priest? He is the defender of truth, who stands with
angels, gives glory with archangels, cause sacrifices to rise to the altar on
high, shares Christ’s priesthood, refashions creation, restores it in God’s
image, recreates it for the world on high and, even greater, is divinized and
divinizes.”
LIFELINES
“Adopting a consistent ethic of life, the Catholic Church promotes a broad
spectrum of issues...Catholic public officials are obliged to address each of
these issues as they seek to build consistent policies which promote respect for
the human person at all stages of life. But being ‘right’ in such matters can
never excuse a wrong choice regarding direct attacks on innocent human life.
Indeed, the failure to protect and defend life in its most vulnerable stages
renders suspect any claims to the ‘rightness’ of positions in other matters
affecting the poorest and least powerful of the human community” (US Bishps,
Living the Gospel of Life, 1998, n. 23).
BUS TO MARCH FOR LIFE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
The local Republican Party located in Johnstown will be sponsoring a bus to the
Annual March For Life in Washington, D.C. on January 22, 2010. Donation of $5
per person will be used for future Pro-Life activities. Bus will depart from
Holy Name/St. John Vianney Parking Lots. For reservations, contact Ann Poole
472-8584 or Millie Bodenschatz 472-6193. All reservations first come-first serve
basis. We will be sharing this bus with parishioners from St. Mary’s Parish in
Nanty Glo and St. John Vianney Parish in Mundy’s Corner.
LITURGICAL REFLECTION - ROMAN MISSAL
A new liturgical year begins. It is the season of Advent. It is the time to
prepare for Christmas, remembering the Lord’s birth in Bethlehem, and a time to
prepare for the Lord’s return in glory. This year the Diocesan Liturgy Office
will prepare us for the new Roman Missal which has been in preparation for some
time. What is the Roman Missal? The Roman Missal is the liturgical book
containing the complete rite of the Mass for Sundays and every day in the year
according to the Roman Rite. This book contains everything that is said or sung
by the ordained at Mass.
TODAY-ADVENT WREATH MAKING
Our Parish Advent Wreath Making project allows everyone to create their own home
Advent wreath, with fresh greens, candles, and special prayers for use at home.
All ages are welcome! Please join us in the church hall on Sunday, November 29,
from 3:00 to 4:30 PM. Bring a water-tight container (a pie pan works nicely);
freshly cut evergreens (bring plenty to share); pruners are also helpful. If you
are unable to bring greens, please come anyway- there is always ample to share.
If you attended last year and your candles can be used again, please bring them.
Advent candles, floral oasis, ribbon, and refreshments will be provided. Come to
the church hall anytime today between 3:00 and 4:30 PM. For more information
call Sarah Zearing -472-5631.
CONFESSIONS FOR 7TH AND 8TH GRADE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (CCD) STUDENTS
CCD students in 7th and 8th grade are expected to be present for the CCD Advent
Penance Service to be held at Holy Name Church on Tuesday, December 15th at
3:00PM. Classes will still be held on Sunday, December 13th at the regularly
scheduled time. Students are to report to the church basement prior to 3:00PM on
Tuesday so that attendance can be taken. The 7th & 8th grade confessions should
be over by 4:00PM. Students are free to leave the church as soon as they have
completed their confession and penance. However, if parents are planning to pick
up their child(ren), please arrive between 3:30-4:00PM.
CCD NEWS - 7TH - 11TH GRADE JR./SR. HIGH
1. SERVICE WEEKEND - Next weekend is a Service Weekend for all Jr/Sr. High CCD
youth. Following are the locations where the youth will be doing their service:
Mr. Brackens 7-1 class – Rebekah Manor; Mrs. Muffie 7-2 & Bro. Paul’s 9-2 – John
Paul II Manor; Mrs. Nagy 8-1 Donuts After 8 a.m. Mass; Ms. Michkowsky 9-1, Bro
Richard 10-1, Mrs. Zearing 10-2 & Mrs. McCulley 11-1 Holy Name Craft Fair per
scheduled time on permission forms. Please pray for our youth as they go and do
their service next weekend that they will carry God’s love out into the
community.
2. JR./SR. HIGH CCD CLASSES resume on Dec 13th at 10 a.m.
DONUTS AFTER MASS
Next Sunday, Dec. 6th. Mrs. Karen Nagy’s 8th Grade CCD will be serving donuts
and beverages after the 8 a.m. Mass. Please come and meet some of our 8th grade
youth of Holy Name Parish and enjoy some good food and fellowship!!
APEX RADA FUND RAISER
Winter and Christmas are right around the corner and that means parties, gifts
and New Year’s! Why not shop for those special days while support HOLY NAME APEX
high school youth group? OR maybe you ordered in an earlier sales and wished you
had purchased something else! You can still order online at
www.helpourfundraiser.com, enter account #501963 and the password quality. Any
questions call Diane Bopp 472-4331 or Dawn Drahnak 471-3996.
2010 CALENDAR DISTRIBUTION
Our parish’s 2010 Calendars will be distributed the weekend of December 5th/6th.
We ask that only one calendar per family be carried home.
NEW PARISH DVD - “THE GIFT OF HOPE”
Available now at church entrances: the new promotional Haiti DVD created during
the January 2009 visitation by Msgr. Gaus. This 14 minute film documents the
cumulative efforts of Kindred Journey, Inc. to sponsor projects that help feed
the poor, especially Haitian children. The DVD is free, but a free-will offering
is appreciated to cover production costs. Please share this DVD with as many
other individuals or groups as possible, with the hope that Kindred Journey will
gain new sponsors. If/when you no longer have use for a copy, just return the
DVD to the Parish Lending Library and we will put it back into circulation. Pray
for the success of this promotional effort; that the cry of the poor in Haiti be
heard and met. An abbreviated version of this DVD can be viewed on YouTube. Go
to www.holynameebg.org and click the link.
ADULT CONFIRMATION
Any adult not yet confirmed who wishes to receive this Sacrament in the spring
can call Sr. Margie for information concerning special preparation classes to
begin in January (472-8315). Confirmation is necessary for a Catholic to be a
baptismal god-parent or confirmation sponsor.
YOU ARE NEEDED
Are you interested in sharing your love of Christ and his Church with our parish
youth? Adults are needed, as The Youth Activities Committee begins to make plans
for this school year. The committees goal is to provide opportunities for our
youth to grow closer to Jesus and deepen their understanding of being a Catholic
Christian, through activities that combine both faith and fun. Please consider
joining us. The commitment of time is approximately 1 to 3 hours a month.
Remember, many hands make light work. Your hands are needed! Those interested in
helping with grades K thru 5th grade please call Maria Lauer 472-4607. Those
interested in helping with grades 6th thru 8th please call Darlene Walker 472-
8089.
ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR
Saturday, December 5th
8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Holy Name Church Hall, Ebensburg
Over 50 crafters will be present to display and sell their crafts.
Some craft tables are still available; contact Audia Boyles at 471-0541.
Homemade breads, rolls, and cinnamon rolls will be available for purchase.
Other food will be sold by the Holy Name APEX Youth Group.
This is wonderful opportunity to do Christmas shopping for family & friends!!!
Stop in before or after the Christmas Parade in Ebensburg.
Free admission and free parking. We hope to see you there!!!
Sponsored by the Holy Name Athletic Association
NATIVITY DISPLAY
Once again we will hold a Nativity Display and Family Social in the Church Hall
on Sunday December 13th from 2:00-4:00 pm. Set up after all Masses. Please
complete the following form:
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PARISH NATIVITY PARTICIPATION FORM
Name _________________________ Phone______________ Electric Outlet Needed? ___
Brief Description/Interesting Facts about your Nativity or religious piece of
art:
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(Drop in Collection Basket or office mail slot)
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POINSETTIA MEMORIAL
We will again be memorializing our beloved deceased with Poinsettias during the
Christmas Season. The living plant at this Season cannot adorn the cemetery site
but will give glory to God in the sacred church settings. If you wish to
participate and have a loved one remembered in this unique way this Christmas
Season, (we will post the names in a future bulletin), then please print their
name and yours on the form below. Place the form in an envelope with a $10.00
donation and return it either via the Sunday collection basket or directly to
the rectory no later than Dec. 6th for printing in the Dec. 13th bulletin.
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POINSETTIA MEMORIAL
IN MEMORY OF( Please print):
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DONATED BY (Please print):
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