The ADVENT Season

The Advent Season and the Advent Wreath

Infographic: What Is The Meaning Of Each Week Of Advent

The word ‘advent’, from the Latin adventus (Greek parousi), means ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’. The Advent Season is focused on the ‘coming’ of Jesus as Messiah (Christ or King).

Christian worship, Bible readings , and prayers not only prepare us spiritually for Christmas (His first coming), but also for His eventual second coming. This is why the Bible readings during Advent include both Old Testament passages related to the expected Messiah, and New Testament passages concerning Jesus’ second coming as judge of all. Also, passages about John the Baptist, the precursor who prepared the way for the Messiah, are read. All of these themes are present in Catholic worship during Advent, which The Catechism succinctly describes:

When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present the ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Saviour’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for His second coming.

Within the four weeks of the Advent season, the Church’s liturgy draws attention to the different facets of how God’s plan has been revealed in Christ, is now revealed in every Mass we celebrate, and that Christ will be revealed in all His glory at the end of time.

For each Sunday of Advent, we take our focus for the Advent Wreath from the our Advent traditions. Like the people of the Old Testament we live in hope for the fullness of the revelations of Christ the Messiah when He will come in glory to judge the living and the dead.

This year we will also anticipate and pray for the process and outcomes of the Plenary Council.

 

Parish Advent Reconciliation Service

As a part of our preparation for Christmas, our Advent Reconciliation will be held on Thursday 16th December at 7pm in the Church.

There will be a few visiting Priests available for confession.  Everyone is welcome.


Third of Advent – 4th Purple Candle Liturgy

‘Lord Jesus, master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do, seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things, look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways, long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy, seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!” Amen

 

Presider:  Lord Jesus Christ, you are our Saviour, the true light that has come into our world. On this Fourth Sunday of Advent we remember your coming at Bethlehem and long for you to come into our world.

All:   Come, Lord Jesus

Presider: Isaiah tells us that a child will be born who will be called Emmanuel, a name that means “God is with us”.

All:   Come, Lord Jesus

Presider:   We must spread the good news that Jesus Christ has come, so that we may have life everlasting.

All:   Come, Lord Jesus

Presider:   The Virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and he will be the King of Glory.

All:   Come, Lord Jesus

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Third of Advent – 3rd Pink Candle Liturgy

 

‘Lord Jesus, master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do, seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things, look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways, long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy, seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!” Amen

 

Presider:   Lord Jesus Christ. You are our Saviour, the true light that has come into our world.   On this “Second Sunday of Advent”, we prepare a way for you to come into our hearts.

All:   Come, Lord Jesus

Presider:  Lord Jesus we are full of joy at the thought of your coming..

All:   Come, Lord Jesus

Presider:  “Be patient, do not lose heart” for the Lord our God is coming. It is he who will bring us to safety..

All:   Come, Lord Jesus

Presider:   “Happy are the people who do not lose faith” they will be great in the sight of God.

All:   Come, Lord Jesus

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Second Sunday of Advent – 2nd Purple Candle Liturgy

Loving God in this time of preparation and planning
we thank you for the hope and peace your unfailingly offer to us.
Show us the creative power of hope.
Teach us the peace that comes with justice.
Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you,
That we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen

 

Presider:   Lord Jesus Christ. You are our Saviour, the true light that has come into our world.   On this “Second Sunday of Advent”, we prepare a way for you to come into our hearts.

Presider:  Lord Jesus you called us to be a “sign to the people” as we journey towards a deeper relationship with God.

All:   Come, Lord Jesus

Presider:  St Paul speaks to us of those who “did not give up”. May we follow their example.

All:   Come, Lord Jesus

Presider:   John the Baptist encourages us to prepare the way of the Lord and make straight his path.

All:   Come, Lord Jesus

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First Sunday of Advent – 1st Purple Candle Liturgy

Presider:   God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that we might have life everlasting.  Let us “walk in the light which the Lord gives us.”

All:   Come, Lord Jesus

Presider:   We are urged not to lose heart but to put on the amour of Jesus Christ.

All:   Come, Lord Jesus

Presider:   Be prepared, for the “Son of Man is coming at an hour we do not expect.”

All:   Come, Lord Jesus


Advent 2021 with Bruce Downes, The Catholic Guy

You are invited to ‘Expect the Unexpected’ this Advent.  Join me each day for a short, free Advent Daily Devotional Video that will guide you on a lifechanging journey.

Starting November 28th you’ll receive short inspirational videos each day from Bruce Downes, full of real life stories and practical ways to become all that God has created you to be!

Register now or for more information: https://brucedownes.org/registerforadvent/ or Email: info@brucedownes.org

 


 

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www.catholicculture.org

 

For Catholics, the new Liturgical Year commences with the first Sunday of Advent. In this new liturgical year, the Church not only wishes to indicate the beginning of a period, but the beginning of a renewed commitment to the faith by all those who follow Christ, the Lord.

This time of prayer and path of penance that is so powerful, rich and intense, endeavours to give us a renewed impetus to truly welcome the message of the One who was incarnated for us. In fact, the entire Liturgy of the Advent season, will spur us to an awakening in our Christian life and will put us in a ‘vigilant’ disposition, to wait for Our Lord Jesus who is coming:

‘Awaken! Remember that God comes! Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but today, now! The one true God, “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob”,

is not a God who is there in Heaven, unconcerned with us and our history, but he is the-God-who-comes.

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