Blessing of the Creche and Christmas Tree Lighting, Saturday, December 14, 2013 6:15pm: Caroling on a Horse-drawn Wagon, ending with Hot Dogs, Hot Cocoa, Cookies, Santa and more!
Many families display an Advent Wreath in their homes, and before dinner say prayers of blessing before lighting the candle. The Advent Wreath is the main symbol of the season. You will notice that the wreath has four (4) candles, representing the four weeks of Advent. Each week we light a candle to remind us that the time of salvation draws near. Three of the candles are purple (the first, second and fourth week) — purple is the color of waiting, conversion and hope. The third week we light a pink or rose-colored candle. It is in the third week that we first hear in the Scriptures of the coming of the Messiah. The color of joy is white and when that is mixed with purple is creates pink. But even in that joy of hearing of the Messiah, we are reminded to continue to focus on our preparations and hence the fourth week is again a purple candle. If you go online you can find prayers for each weeks blessings. How wonderful a custom to be able to bring the symbols of the season into our homes!
St. Boniface Giving Tree: The Annual Saint Boniface Giving Tree to benefit Madonna Heights has once again been set up in the vestibule of the church. Madonna Heights, helps adolescent girls, women and families overcome the devastating effects of poverty, neglect and abuse. Please help the young women in their care feel special during this Christmas season by taking a tag from the tree. All gifts should be returned unwrapped by Sunday, December 15th. Your gift will go a long way in helping those Madonna Heights serves. Thank you for your generosity.
Christmas Pageant: The Christmas Pageant will take place December 24 after 4pm Mass. More information to follow.
