The Liturgical Year The notion of time helps us celebrate life by marking and recalling the important dates and events in our lives. The Liturgical year or Church calendar helps us celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

This is called the Paschal Mystery.

Time has an important place in our spiritual life: It helps us reconnect with God. The Paschal Mystery is celebrated through specific seasons.

There are five specific seasons in the Church’s calendar:

1. Advent 2. Christmas 3. Ordinary Time 4. Lent 5. Easter The Liturgical year is a cycle of seasons repeating itself at the end of each cycle.

The Church year or cycle begins with Advent and ends with ordinary time (starts the Monday after Pentecost until Advent in December). • Each season of the Liturgical year celebrates an important aspect of Christ’s life. • Each season in the Liturgical calendar has a particular theme. • Each season has a particular liturgical color. • Each season concentrates on different parts of the Bible. • Each season has different religious practices, and symbols. Advent Christmas Ordinary Time Lent Easter

Purple Green Purple

Advent Paschal Wreath Nativity Ashes Chi-Ro Candle Theme of the seasons: Advent Ordinary Lent Time

Awaiting for the The Birth The Public Repentance New Life Messiah Of Christ Ministry Preparing for Of Christ Conversion Resurrection Christmas The Incarnation Final Judgement Penance Witnessing WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE SEASONS:

Advent Christmas Ordinary Lent Easter Time

Prayer Reconciliation Discipleship Prayer Sharing our Good deeds Acts of following Fasting faith with Penance Kindness Jesus’ teaching Almsgiving others Peacemaking in the routine of every day life.