St. Sebastian - 913

Church of Saint Sebastian December 2, 2018 - First Sunday of Advent

From Father Jordan, O.P.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

May the grace of Our Lord remain always with us!

On this first day of the new Liturgical year, I greet you with several greetings: Happy New Year!; Blessed Advent; and, Come, Sweet Season of the Wonder!

Beginning last Friday, perhaps even before Thanksgiving Day, the great rush towards Christmas has begun! But inside the walls of this Church and every Church—and I pray, within the walls of our hearts— there is the quiet expectation that waits for Christ to come again in glory; to visit each of our lives with His blessed invitation, “Come, you whom my Father has blest, and receive the reward prepared for you since the foundation of the world”; and, to celebrate again the wonder and marvelous exchange that is ours in the Incarnation—Christmas Day.

Each of the three greetings I mention above are important. However, it is the last greeting—Come, Sweet Season of the Wonder!—about which I particularly want to reflect with you.

I first heard these words in a simple piece of music many years ago. The entire text sings:

Come, Sweet Season of the Wonder! Come, to inflame our hearts again! O, Holy Vision, go before us! To earth’s communion, God’s Amen!

Growing up near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Advent was a time of wonder! Whether Catholic or Protestant, the lighting of the Advent Wreath was something that drew everyone together. In my little town of Emmaus, we gathered at the “Triangle” which was the center of town, and sang Advent Hymns as the Advent Wreath in the center of the square was lit. There was also the lighting of the Advent Wreath on the “Hill to Hill Bridge” and the white lights in the windows—glowing lights to guide the Christ Child to our homes—both of which pierced the dark winter’s night. Advent STILL is a time of wonder!

The lights of Advent are only a dim reflection of THEE Light: Jesus Christ. the Book of Revelation tells us, “E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come, and night shall be no more; They need no light, nor lamp, nor sun, for Christ will be there all!”

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What does this Light do? The Light of Christ inflames our hearts so that we may see anew. How do you and I need to see anew? I offer you the following:

1. This Advent let your heart be inflamed anew as you go to Confession. During Advent, I will hear Confessions for twenty minutes before every Mass: this will result in Confessions being available to you seven days a week! :-) Please, take advantage of this particular Grace.

2. This Advent experience the wonder of this Season by promising yourself and your family that the crazy rush of Madison Avenue is NOT going to take over: pray together; have a family Advent Wreath and light it each evening at dinner; and come to Sunday Mass as a family.

3. This Advent find the wonder of love Incarnate by visiting someone you haven’t seen, or try to heal a broken relationship.

4. This Advent discover the greatest Wonder is Jesus Christ, your relationship with Him, made incarnate in your family and your fellow parishioners!

I wish you the most blessed Advent and the greatest Wonder of this Season of Grace: Jesus, the Light of the World!

Please know that you are with me every day at the altar, and please pray for me!

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you!

In the Lord,

Father Jordan, O.P.

Church of Saint Sebastian Founded October 15, 1915

St. Sebastian - 913

WINE: Women’s Book Club The Daytime WINE Club meets this Saturday, December 8 at 3:30 pm in the Fr. Randall Room. The Evening WINE Club meets this Tuesday, December 4 at 7:00 pm in a location TBD to discuss Gaze Upon Jesus by Kelly Wahlquist. If you have any questions please email ms.teresatesta@gmail.com (Daytime Group) or smarieheaton@gmail.com (Evening Group.)

Welcome In my own name and on behalf of the People of Saint

Sebastian’s, welcome to our Parish! If you are

visiting, coming back to the Church and Mass after

some time away, or looking for a Parish, you are

most welcome here at Saint Sebastian’s.

If you would like more information about Saint

Sebastian’s, the works we do, or joining the Parish,

please talk with our Pastor, Father Jordan, or ask any

of our parishioners. Welcome and please join us

again!

Gifts for Advent and Beyond

As you leave church today please be sure to pick up

thew new parish calendar for 2019. Two thoughtful

Advent Reflection Books are also available in the

vestibule: Waiting in Joyful Hope written by

Genevieve Glen, OSB; and the Magnificat Advent

Companion. Congratulations to our parishioner,

Regina Lawlor Andrews who is a contributing writer

in this year’s Advent Companion!! Bravo, Regina!

Developing a Culture of Stewardship

In this season of gift giving and receiving...How can

we be good stewards of our time, share our talents,

and use our treasure for the good of all?

While waiting for your child during Religious Education or Children's Choir Practice, please do enjoy visiting with some of your fellow parishioners and have some coffee and nibbles. Time: Every Sunday in the Parish Hall after the 9:00 a.m. Mass and on Monday during Religious

Education.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, December 1: First Sunday of Advent 5:00 p.m. Pro Populo Sunday, December 2: First Sunday of Advent 9:00 a.m. Mary Lou Daly, requested by the Galligan family 11:00 a.m. W. Norbert Daly and daughter Mary Lou Daly, requested by family Monday, December 3: Saint Francis Xavier, S.J.

7:00 a.m. Mary Elizabeth Kelly Tuesday, December 4: Advent Weekday 7:00 a.m. For those who live with or have died from HIV/AIDS 7:20 a.m. Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Wednesday, December 5: Advent Weekday 7:00 a.m. Francis M. Kelly, requested by Father Jordan Kelly, O.P. Thursday, December 6: Saint Nicholas 7:00 a.m. Margaret “Peggy” Corrigan, Sixth Anniversary, requested by her Family First Friday, December 7: Feast of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church 7:00 a.m. The Safety of Our Country 4:30 p.m. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 5:00 p.m. Confessions 5:30 p.m. Feast of the Immaculate Conception Saturday, December 8: Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Day of Obligation 9:00 a.m. For the Healing of the Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse Saturday, December 8: Second Sunday of Advent 5:00 p.m. Pro Populo

Sunday, December 9: Second Sunday of Advent 9:00 a.m. Allen Terrano, Birthday, Living 11:00 a.m. Ann Waldron ___________________________________________

End of the Year Giving and Estate Planning

At this time of the year, there are so many demands

made upon our financial resources. Please consider

remembering Saint Sebastian Church either through

greater sacrifice for the Christmas Collection; an End

of the Year Gift; or by leaving a bequest for Saint

Sebastian Church from your estate. Thank YOU!!!

God will never be outdone in generosity!

Church of Saint Sebastian December 2, 2018 - First Sunday of Advent

St. Sebastian - 913

Sunday 12/2 Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:00 a.m. Choir Loft

Sunday 12/2 Coffee an’ 10:00 a.m. Church Vestibule

Sunday 12/2 Religious Education 10:00 a.m. Classrooms

Monday 12/3 Religious Education 4:00 p.m. Classrooms

Monday 12/3 CGS 4:15 p.m. Atrium

Monday 12/3 Coffee an’ 4:00 p.m. Church Vestibule

Tuesday 12/4 WINE Evening Book Club Meeting 7:00 p.m. TBD

Tuesday 12/4 Prayer Shawl Ministry 7:00 p.m. Fr. Randall Room

Wednesday 12/5 Unfolding the Catholic Faith 7:00 p.m. Fr. Randall Room

Thursday 12/6 Spiritual Study Group 6:00 p.m. Fr. Randall Room

First Friday 12/7 Holy Day Vigil: Immaculate Conception 5:30 p.m. Church

First Friday 12/7 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 4:30 p.m. Church

First Friday 12/7 Confessions 5:00 p.m. Church

First Friday 12/7 Vigil Mass for Immaculate Conception 5:30 p.m. Church

Saturday 12/8 Holy Day: Immaculate Conception 9:00 a.m. Church

Saturday 12/8 WINE Daytime Book Club Meeting 3:30 p.m. Fr. Randall Room

Saturday 12/8 Confessions 4:00 p.m. Church

Christmas Bells are Ringing The Children’s Choir will go Christmas Caroling on Sunday, December 16. Please see Vittoria, the Children’s Choir Director, in the choir loft following the 9 a.m. Mass if your son or daughter would like to join the Choir in this heartwarming activity!

Christmas Carolers United: All parishioners are invited to bring the spirit of Christmas to the elderly in our area. We will serenade the residents of three nursing homes with familiar carols and brighten their day, as we encourage them to prepare for the celebration of Jesus' birth. Gather at St. Sebastian's at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 23. From there, we will caravan in cars to Wingate, Tockwotten, and Bethany homes. (Songbooks and directions will be provided, but you can bring jingle bells, Christmas regalia, and plenty of good will!) No special musical talent is required, but a jolly enthusiasm makes our caroling a huge success. After caroling, everyone is welcome to the home of Greg & Susan Elliott, for refreshments. To sign up, please email: stsebastian@cox.net. NOTE CORRECTED EMAIL ADDRESS For questions, please contact Susan Elliott at 831-1162 or 345-8635. What better way can we herald the coming of Our Lord than by bringing His Love to those who would enjoy it so?

All parishioners and

friends are warmly invited

to join

Father Jordan next Sun-

day, December 9 for an

Advent and Christmas Open House in the Rectory from 1 2 : 3 0 t o 2 : 0 0 pm .

Parishioners are invited to bring their favorite

Christmas Baked Good.

We hope to see you there!

Join us for our many activities!

Prayers for the Sick

Prayers are asked for our friends, family, fellow parishioners, and especially for Elie Saroufim, Helen Cox-Nadal, and Stanley Nadal. If you would like someone included in the Prayers for the Sick, please call the Church Rectory.

Church of Saint Sebastian Founded October 15, 1915

St. Sebastian - 913

MITTEN/HAT/SCARF TREE Beginning next

weekend, a tree will be placed in the vestibule upon

which you can pin new mittens, hats, and scarves

that will be for the benefit of Saint Patrick’s Mary

House.

Opportunities for memorials

Please contact Father Jordan if:

You would like to help purchase an

appropriate vestment and altar cloth which

would be used during the Christmas and

Easter Seasons;

You noticed the beautiful new Green

Vestments used at Sunday Mass and would

like to donate this vestment in memory of a

deceased loved one.

The San Damiano Crucifix

that will be placed in our Chapel

has been generously donated

by one of our parishioners.

Thank you!

Thank you Thank you to Karin and her wonderful

committee members for making the Christmas

Bazaar a great success, and even more fun! It

could not have been accomplished without them

and the support of the entire Saint Sebastian

community!

Your time, treasure, and talent aid Saint

Sebastian Church in our living the Gospel and

being intentional disciples.

Parishioner Donations for the weekend of November 25: $3,745.00

A sincere thank you for your continued support!

Online parish giving as well as parish expenses will be return next weekend

Please consider enrolling in Parish Giving, our online stewardship program for parish contributions. You can register online on this website www.Parishgiving.org or go to our Saint Sebastian Parish website at stsebastianri.org.

Advent is the season of the presence

and expectation of the eternal…

a period of joy, an interiorized joy

that no suffering can diminish. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, 2009

Congratulations and Welcome

Congratulations to Eleanor Mary Wurst, the daughter of our parishioners Lyndsay and Aaron Wurst, who was baptized at St. Sebastian’s on November 24th. As we welcome Eleanor to our faith let us support her and her family by our prayer and example!