Do you need a break from the hectic pace of the holidays? reminds us to stop and take time to focus on what really counts at this time of year, to prepare for the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ, both in the Nativity and in His Second Coming.

1. Collect a Blue Book of Advent St Mark’s Reflections & read a Reflection daily. Advent by Candlelight 2. Begin a tradition of the in your home. Every Wednesday evening during Advent 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd December 3. Your reflects a Following 6pm Mass, set aside the season’s busyness and Christian theme. experience the peace of Christ and the joy of community. 4. Make a Pilgrimage to St Mark’s Encounter God’s presence through silent reflection, prayer and Church taking a moment to reflect on Adoration in candlelight surrounded by the beauty and this Spiritual Season. peace of St Mark’s Church.

5. Commit to helping someone else, ALL WELCOME especially during the weeks of Advent and . 6. Resolve to keep Advent a Season of Reflection. 7. Celebrate the Sacrament of Penance (Confession | Reconciliation) before Day . 8. In preparation attend St Mark’s Advent by Candlelight silent adoration evening to find peace and reflect at the end of the day.

ADVENT SACRAMENT OF PENANCE (Reconciliation | Confession) WEDNESDAY: 6.30pm - 7.00pm SATURDAY: 11.00am - 12 noon or by appointment.

Getting Started with an Advent Wreath Praying with Your Wreath This is a wonderful tradition to begin now. There’s no correct way to pray with your wreath, so decide Your family will be taken in by the smells and for yourself what’s best for your household. mesmerized by the candle flames. Here are some ideas: A wreath really makes this season of preparation Sing/play music: special in your home! Pick an Advent song such as “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Prayer & Family time with your Wreath Sing to a recording if you like. We suggest that you light your wreath and pray with it Just remember that Christmas carols have to wait for nightly during the Advent season, although you can use it at Christmas. During Advent we’re still preparing! any time of day. Try turning down the lights so you can focus Read from the Bible: more on the candles and making this a special, prayerful Choose any reading you would like, time. If you have young children, this can serve as a nice perhaps the Mass reading of the day. (Page 8) bedtime ritual, perhaps done along with bedtime stories. Make this a special family time, perhaps cuddling together on Pray in your own words: the couch, sharing how your day went, and/or discussing Ask God for what you really need this season, how to be more loving during this season. and pray for others in need.

About the Wreath Your prayer time might look like this: The Advent wreath was a tradition used in homes before we Light candle and say the wreath prayer for that week started using them at Mass. (Pages 4 & 5). Your wreath can help you focus on preparing for Jesus’ Sing an Advent song together. coming, amidst the hustle and bustle of the season. Read a Bible passage out loud. The evergreen circle reminds us of God’s love for us, which Everyone can offer their own prayers out loud: has no beginning or end. who and what should we pray for together? We light the candles as we wait for the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World. Pray the Advent Liturgy (Page 3):

Getting Your Own Wreath End the prayer with an You will need a circular wreath of evergreens and four Our Father, Hail Mary, or a your own family prayer. candles (three purple and one rose) to put on it. You can Have some family time together. purchase all of this as a set at a religious goods store, or buy a wreath and candles separately, and easily make your own. If you have easy access to evergreen branches it can be a fun family activity to make the wreath together.

The meaning of the Advent Wreath Symbol & Meaning Circle - Eternity of God Evergreen Wreath - Life, Immortality Candle - Jesus is the light of the World 4 x Candles - 4 weeks of Advent 3 x Purple - Prayer, Penance & Preparation 1x Rose - Rejoicing Aspects of the Season: Advent Litany: Violet vestments. Rather than Penance, the use of violet This litany may be prayed at family gatherings during the Advent Season. in Advent reflects longing and anticipation. Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world Some parishes use a blue-toned purple (the royal purple or All: Come, Lord Jesus midnight blue) to express the season. You are light in our darkness Rose vestments may be used on the third (Gaudete) Sunday All: Come, Lord Jesus to signal the nearness of Christmas. Son of God, save us from our sins. All: Come, Lord Jesus Bring hope into the lives of all people All: Come, Lord Jesus Give your peace to all nations The Glory to God is not sung and the organ and other All: Come, Lord Jesus musical instruments are used in moderation, not as a sign Be the joy of all who love you of Penance, but to allow us to anticipate the full joy of the All: Come, Lord Jesus Bless us as we gather here in your name

25th. These will be taken up again at Christmas. All: Come, Lord Jesus The Alleluia continues to be sung in the Gospel Lord Jesus, stay with us. Acclamation and in other songs. All: Come, Lord Jesus This is the clearest indication that Advent is a season of May Christ give us his peace and joy and let us share them expectation rather than of Penance. with others. All praise and glory are his for ever. All: Amen

Advent is a time of preparation, first of all, for the Final Judgement and then for the coming of Christ Child. Both require self-examination, self-denial, and penance (hence the need for a good pre-Christmas visit to the confessional). The Church signals this attitude with purple vestments and abstaining from the Gloria (except for feasts and solemnities). Furthermore, the feasting ought to be preceded by fasting; in fact, the feasting takes on its deepest meaning only when preceded by fasting.

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” O come, desire of nations bind In one the hearts of all mankind; Bid thou our sad divisions cease And be thyself our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Candle: HOPE PRAYER FOR LIGHTING Candle Name: Prophet’s Candle THE ADVENT Reminds Us: Jesus is coming WREATH CANDLE

Candle: PEACE PRAYER FOR LIGHTING Candle Name: Bethlehem Candle THE ADVENT Reminds Us: Peach on Earth, Good WREATH CANDLE will toward Men

Candle: JOY PRAYER FOR LIGHTING Candle Name: Shepherd’s Candle THE ADVENT Reminds Us: The Joy to the World WREATH CANDLE at the coming of the birth of Jesus.

Candle: LOVE PRAYER FOR LIGHTING Candle Name: Angel’s Candle THE ADVENT Reminds Us: The Angels’ WREATH CANDLE announce the good news of a Saviour

God of new beginnings, you announced through T an angel’s message how you would enter the world as one of us so you could us more deeply. As we light these candles, we reflect on Mary and how we can freely say “yes” to what you ask, just as she did. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessing of a Christmas Tree Blessing of a Nativity Scene God of all creation, God of Mary and Joseph, of shepherds and animals, bless We praise you for this tree us whenever we gaze on this manger scene. Which brings beauty and memories and the promise of life to our home. Through all the days of Christmas may these figures tell May your blessing be upon all who the story of how we along with the angels and animals gather around this tree, found Christ in this poor place. All who keep the Christmas festival by its lights. Fill our house with hospitality, joy, gentleness, and We wait for the coming of the Christ, the days of thanksgiving and guide our steps in the way of peace. everlasting justice and of peace. Grant this through Christ our Lord. You are our God, living reigning, for ever and ever Amen.

In its present form the custom of displaying figures The use of the Christmas Tree depicting the birth of Jesus Christ owes its origin to Saint is relatively modern. Francis of Assisi who made the Christmas Manger Its origins are found in the medieval mystery plays which for of 1223.

depicted the tree of paradise and the Christmas light or However, as early as the fourth century representations of candle which symbolized Christ, the Light of the world. the Nativity of the Lord were painted as wall decorations According to custom, the Christmas Tree is set up just depicting not only the infancy narrative accounts of before Christmas and may remain in place until the Christ’s birth, but also the words of the prophets Isaiah Solemnity of Epiphany. Although the primary place for the and Habakkuk taken to mean that the Messiah would be Christmas Tree is the home, at times one or more may also born in the midst of animals in a manger. be placed in the Church. The blessing of a Nativity scene may take place at any The Christmas Tree may be blessed on or before suitable time and when the Nativity scene is set up at home Christmas. The lights of the Christmas Tree are it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another illuminated after the prayer of blessing. family member.

Advent, taken from the Latin “adventus,” meaning “arrival” anticipates not only the coming of Jesus as a child, but is also to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. This anticipatory season is filled with its own symbols as well. The Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation | Confession) through personal celebration of the Sacrament finds a special place in the season. The sacrament is celebrated as we prepare a welcome for the Lord and seek to approach his coming with hearts free from sin and filled with praise.

During this special time of Advent St Mark’s offers Mass and Advent by Candlelight on Wednesday evening’s, with the Sacrament of Penance from 6.30pm - 7.00pm & from 11am to 12 noon each Saturday, take a moment to yourself to reflect on this spiritual occasion and take confession | reconciliation then stay for 12 noon Saturday Mass, to reflect and think of this real event we are celebrating, the celebration of the Birth of Christ. .

Advent by Candlelight: Use Advent wisely. That means spiritual preparation. If you cannot attend Sunday Masses, join us on Wednesday for Mass at 6pm then Advent by candlelight, to reflect and help you wait in joyful hope. Make friends with key figures of the season: ; Our Lady; Saint Joseph; Our Lady of Guadalupe;

CHRISTMAS EVE: 24 DECEMBER 5.30pm Family Mass 7.30pm Family Mass 9.00pm Night Mass 12.00am Midnight Mass CHRISTMAS DAY: 25 DECEMBER 7.00am Dawn Mass 9.00am Christmas Day Mass 10.30am Christmas Day Mass ALL WELCOME

CHRISTMAS FAMILY MASSES At our family Masses the children can come dressed as a nativity character; Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Shepherds, Angels, Donkeys, Camels, Sheep, wise men (Magi), Herod, the innkeeper or a Star. Children are invited to dress up and join the entrance procession at each Family Mass. 26 DECEMBER NEW YEAR’S EVE MASS 12 noon Saturday Mass 31 DECEMBER THE HOLY FAMILY MASS 6.00pm Evening Mass 5.30pm Vigil Mass NEW YEAR’S DAY MASS 27 DECEMBER MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD 9.00am Mass 1 JANUARY 10.30am Mass 9.30am Morning Mass 6.00pm Mass The Catholic Community of St Mark’s Parish, Drummoyne Welcome and invites you to join our Advent & Christmas Celebrations for the Birth of Jesus. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

29 30 Gospel: 1 Gospel: 2 Gospel: 3 Gospel: 4 Gospel: 5 Gospel: First Sunday of Advent Mt 4:18-22 Lk 10:21-24 Mt 15:29-37 Mt 7:21. 24-27 Mt 9:27-31 Mt 9:35–10:1. 6-8 Gospel Mk 13:33-37 Jesus calls Peter Jesus thanks his Jesus cures many Jesus outlines what Jesus interacts with Jesus sends the We know not the hour and Andrew to Father that the by the Sea of is expected of those two blind men. disciples to minister the Lord will come. follow him. disciples understand Galilee. who receive the to the crowds. St Andrew his mission. Advent by gospel. Reconciliation Candlelight St Francis Xavier 6 7 Gospel: 8 Gospel: 9 Gospel: 10 Gospel: 11 Gospel: 12 Gospel: Second Sunday of Advent Lk 5:17-26 Lk 1:26-38 Mt 11:28-30 Mt 11:11-15 Mt 11:16-19 Mt 17:10-13 Gospel Mk 1:1-8 Jesus heals a Gabriel visits Mary. Jesus invites all to Jesus praises John Jesus scolds the The disciples question John the Baptist paralysed man. The Immaculate come to him. the Baptist. people for not Jesus proclaims the coming of Conception of the Advent by Our Lady of Loreto listening to him. about Elijah. the Messiah. Blessed Virgin Mary Candlelight Our Lady of Guadalupe Reconciliation 13 14 Gospel: 15 Gospel: 16 Gospel: 17 Gospel: 18 Gospel: 19 Gospel: Third Sunday of Advent Mt 21:23-27 Mt 21:28-32 Lk 7:19-23 Mt 1:1-17 Mt 1:18-24 Lk 1:5-25 Gospel Jn 1:6-8. 19-28 Jesus teaches in Jesus tells the Tell John what you The genealogy of How Jesus came to The birth of John the The priests and Levites the Temple. parable of the two have seen and Jesus, son of be born Baptist is announced. question John's identity. John of the sons. heard. David. Reconciliation Rejoice - wear Pink Cross Advent by The Christmas The Christmas The Christmas or Rose to Mass! Candlelight Novena begins Novena Novena

20 21 Gospel: 22 Gospel: 23 Gospel: 24 Gospel: The Christmas Fourth Sunday of Advent Lk 1:39-45 Lk 1:46-56 Lk 1:57-66 Lk 1:67-79 Novena begins Gospel Lk 1:26-38 Elizabeth's child Mary's . The birth of John Zechariah praises Christmas at a point, where the The angel Gabriel visits leapt in her womb The Christmas the Baptist. God for the birth of Day Advent focus shifts to the Christmas story Mary, who responds Novena Advent by John. The Christmas and the Virgin Mary. willingly to God. Candlelight The Christmas The Christmas Novena These days serve to The Christmas Novena ends prepare more directly Novena Novena for the Lord’s birth. Blessed are you, Father, who in your infinite love sent us your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that we may have life, and have it in abundance. By the power of the Holy Spirit, renew our Eucharistic communities. May they be places, of encounter with the living Christ, centres of evangelisation and outreach to our community in love and mercy. Grant us the gifts of faith, hope and love to be faithful disciples of Jesus and radiant witnesses to the people of Sydney. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Star of the New Evangelisation. Pray for us! St Mark. Pray for us!