Blurbs, Blogs & Blessings

Christmas Day

saintchris — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:01:43 +0000

Thank you to all who have followed this Advent Blog!! If you have any questions, thoughts or comments, please leave them here or contact Seán Paul Fleming or any of the Liturgy Committee Members!

A Joyous and Blessed Christmas to all of our Saint Christopher parishioners!

Our Mass Schedule Today is as follows:

7:30 am in the church

9 am in the church

11 am in the church

Please note: There is no 5 pm mass on Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve

saintchris — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:01:21 +0000

Thank you to all who have followed this Advent Blog!! If you have any questions, thoughts or comments, please leave them here or contact Seán Paul Fleming or any of the Liturgy Committee Members!

A Joyous and Blessed Christmas to all of our Saint Christopher parishioners!

Our Mass Schedule Tonight is as follows:

4 pm in the church and 4 pm in the Weldgen Parish Center
—Please note, there will be shuttle service available from the St. Edmund Campus starting at 3 PM. Park your car and then ride the shuttle to church!

6 pm in the church

8 pm in the church

11 pm in the church

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

saintchris — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:01:54 +0000

O Emmanuel: “O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The Lord himself will give you this sign: the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”

Fourth Graders in the Fourth Week…

I have been going to church every Sunday to prepare for Jesus birth.I also have been giving toys to the poor. And being nicer to my cousins.
—Daniel Harig

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

saintchris — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:01:47 +0000

O Rex Gentium (O King of all the nations): “O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of humankind, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.”

Isaiah had prophesied, “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon His shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” (9:5), and “He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” (2:4) .

Fourth Graders in the Fourth Week…

I will prepare for Jesus by lighting a candle every Sunday.
I prepare for Jesus by decerating around the house for Jesus
—Savana Castelli

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

saintchris — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:01:06 +0000

O Oriens (O Radiant Dawn): “O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, Sun of Justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.” (9:1).

The Fourth Graders on Advent…

I’m trying to help my mom,
I’m trying to help my dad,
I’m trying to help the poor.
—Stephen Baughman

Fourth Sunday of Advent

saintchris — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:30:29 +0000

O Clavis David (O Key of David): “O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at Your will the gate of Heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.” Isaiah had prophesied, I will place the Key of the House of David on His shoulder; when He opens, no one will shut, when He shuts, no one will open.” (22:22), and “His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over His kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.” (9:6).

Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

saintchris — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:01:09 +0000

O Radix Jesse (“O Flower of Jesse’s Stem): “O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.” Isaiah had prophesied, “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from His roots a bud shall blossom.” (11:1), and on that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for His dwelling shall be glorious.” (11:10).

Jesse was the father of King David, and Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in David’s city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:1).

Friday of the Third Week of Advent

saintchris — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:01:57 +0000

O Adonai (O Lord): “O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed Yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the Holy Law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.” Isaiah had prophesied, “But He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of his lips He shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around His waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his Hips.” (11:4-5); and “Indeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic; yes the Lord our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our king, He it is who will save us.” (33:22).

Advent Lessons from the Fourth Grade

Every year during advent I prepare for Christmas by collecting toys and money for Salvation Army. I fast and pray before every meal. I also donate some of my toys to Red Cross.
—Gabrielle Little

Thursday of the Third Week of Advent

saintchris — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:01:39 +0000

Today begins our use of the “O” Antiphons which we will hear from now until Christmas Eve.

O Sapientia (O Wisdom): “O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.” (11:2-3), and “Wonderful is His counsel and great is His wisdom.” (28:29).

We gain Wisdom from children…

One source of Wisdom is our children. As we continue on toward Christmas, you will hear how to prepare yourself for Advent from some of our fourth grade Saint Christiopher students.

“This year for Advent I am preparing Christmas decorations
around my house.Christmas is about spending time with your family.
This year I’m trying not to talk back.”
—Hannah Francisco

Click here to enjoy another bit of “childhood wisdom”… the classic “Merry Christmas Charlie Brown” as Linus explains the true meaning of Christmas.

Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent

saintchris — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:01:16 +0000

The “O” Antiphons

The “O Antiphons” refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers (Evening Prayer) of the Liturgy of the Hours.

They are recited during the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23.

At the Benedictine abbey of Fleury (now Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire), these antiphons were recited by the abbot and other abbey leaders in descending rank, and then a gift was given to each member of the community. By the eighth century, they were in use in the liturgical celebrations in Rome.

The usage of the “O Antiphons” was so prevalent in monasteries that the phrases, “Keep your O” and “The Great O Antiphons” were common parlance. In some fashion the “O Antiphons” have been part of our liturgical tradition since the very early Church.

The importance of these “O Antiphons” is twofold: Each one highlights a title for the Messiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel. Also, each one refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah.

The octave before Christmas begins tomorrow, December 17th. Our Advent Blog will conclude with the O Antiphons each day during this special time, along with some thoughts on how to prepare for Advent from some of our Saint Christopher students.

Scripture Reflection

How do we know that Jesus is who He claims to be, the Son of God, Messiah, and Savior of the world? Is our faith a blind leap we must take without certainty or proof?

John the Baptist sends his disciples to question Jesus about his claim to be God’s anointed Messiah. Did John have doubts about Jesus and His claim to divinity? Not likely, since John revealed Jesus’ mission at the River Jordan when he exclaimed, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).

John saw from a distance what Jesus would accomplish through His death on the cross – our redemption from bondage to sin and death and our adoption as sons and daughers of God and citizens of the kingdom of heaven. John very likely sent his disciples to Jesus because he wanted them to hear and see firsthand for themselves the signs and proof that the Messiah had indeed come in the person of Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus, You are the fulfillment of all our hopes and desires. Your Spirit brings us grace, truth, life, and freedom. Fill us with the joy of the Gospel and inflame our hearts with love and a zeal for You and for Your will… even if we don’t see You with our own eyes.