Our Parish Advent Penitential Service will be held on Wednesday, December 18 at 6:30pm. 

There is a change in Mass Times and Adoration next week as we will be having the Renewal in Hope Advent Mission.

The Mission will be starting at 7:00 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Mass & Adoration Times for Next Week:

• Tuesday—Mass at 6:00 pm
• Wednesday— Mass at 6:00 pm
• Thursday—Adoration—9:45 am—6:00 pm

Please join us for this Advent Renewal Mission. All Welcome!

• On Tue, Dec 3, Brett Powell, a renowned speaker from the Archdiocese of Vancouver, will speak on forming missionary disciples, showing us how we can live as followers of Christ in our daily lives. Please note that evening Mass will be moved to 6:00 pm.
• On Wed, Dec 4, Bishop Scott McCaig, the Bishop for the Military Ordinariate of Canada, will guide us on becoming a Church of encounter and witness, in building an authentic community that's led by Christian mercy and passion.
• On Thu, Dec 5, Mary Rose Bacani Valenti, producer and host of Salt + Light TV, will speak about strengthening family life. Her insights will help us make Advent a season of renewal, strengthening family life with God's love, and inspiring us to be agents of change to those closest to us.

NEW! Read Faithfully articles to learn more about our speakers!

• Brett Powell: Why missionary discipleship matters
• Bishop Scott McCaig: A lumberjack, a storyteller, and a preacher on fire
• Mary Rose Bacani Valenti: Preparing for Christmas with Mary Rose

The Rorate Mass serves as a reminder of:

• The need for spiritual preparation during Advent.
• The expectant waiting for Christ’s birth.
• The role of Mary in the Incarnation.

It’s a beautiful tradition that invites reflection on both personal faith and the collective anticipation of the Savior’s arrival.

In our parish Rorate Masses will be celebrated at 7:00 AM on Dec. 7th, 14th and 21st

It is with great sadness that the family of Bill Ward of High River, AB, announces his passing on November 24, 2024, at the age of 86 years. Bill will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends for his kind heart and warm spirit.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 206 9 Ave SW, High River, AB.

Advent is a liturgical season in the Catholic Church that marks the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year. The term “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” It is a period of preparation, anticipation, and hope, focusing on the coming of Jesus Christ.

Advent has a dual focus:

• First Coming: Remembering and preparing for the historical birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas.
• Second Coming: Anticipating Christ’s return in glory at the end of time (Parousia).

 The season emphasizes three key themes:

• Hope(for Christ’s coming),
• Peace(of Christ’s reign),
• Preparation(through repentance and spiritual growth).

Traditions of Advent:

 Advent Wreath:

• Symbolism: A circular wreath made of evergreen branches symbolizes eternity. Four candles are placed on the wreath, one for each week of Advent. Each candle represents one theme: Hope, Peace, Joy (pink candle), and Love.
• Weekly Lighting: A new candle is lit each Sunday, culminating in the lighting of the Christ Candle at Christmas.

 Liturgical Colors: 

• Violet (Purple): Signifies penance, preparation, and royalty.
• Rose (Pink): Used on the third Sunday (Gaudete Sunday) to represent joy and anticipation.

 Advent Calendar:

• A daily calendar leading up to Christmas helps mark the days and often includes small prayers or activities to foster spiritual reflection.

 Rorate Masses:

•  As mentioned earlier, these early morning Masses honor the Virgin Mary and emphasize the light of Christ coming into the world.

Advent invites all of us to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. This involves prayer, penance, and acts of charity. It’s a time to reconnect with the core of the Christian faith and reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation—God becoming human. In a world often filled with uncertainty, Advent fosters a sense of hope in the promise of Christ’s return and the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom. Similar to Lent, Advent calls for a spiritual renewal and examination of one’s life, encouraging repentance and transformation.

Advent is a season of joyful anticipation, spiritual preparation, and deep reflection on the mystery of Christ’s coming. It reminds the faithful of the light of Christ breaking into the darkness of the world, bringing hope, peace, and salvation. By engaging in Advent traditions, Catholics strengthen their faith and prepare their hearts to receive Christ more fully at Christmas and at the end of time.

A Rorate Mass is a special Advent liturgy in the Catholic Church, traditionally celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It takes its name from the opening words of the Introit (Entrance Antiphon) in Latin: “Rorate caeli desuper” (“Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above”), taken from Isaiah 45:8.

Key Features and Symbolism:

                  1.             Timing:

The Rorate Mass is celebrated early in the morning, often before dawn. The symbolism reflects the Advent theme of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ, both in the Incarnation and at the end of time.

                  2.             Candlelight:

The Mass is typically held by candlelight, symbolizing the darkness of the world before the birth of Christ, who is the “Light of the World.” The gradual increase in light as dawn breaks mirrors the coming of Christ’s light into the world.

                  3.             Marian Focus:

The Mass emphasizes Mary’s role in salvation history, particularly her “yes” to God, which brought Christ into the world. Special Marian prayers and hymns are included.

                  4.             Liturgical Vestments:

The celebrant wears white vestments (instead of the typical violet of Advent), signifying joy and purity, in honor of the Virgin Mary.

Historical Background:

Originating in medieval Europe, the Rorate Mass became a deeply rooted tradition, especially in German-speaking and Eastern European countries. It is still popular in these regions, with many faithful gathering in the early hours during Advent for this solemn yet hopeful celebration.

Spiritual Significance:

The Mass serves as a reminder of:

• The need for spiritual preparation during Advent.
• The expectant waiting for Christ’s birth.
• The role of Mary in the Incarnation.

It’s a beautiful tradition that invites reflection on both personal faith and the collective anticipation of the Savior’s arrival.

In our parish Rorate Masses will be celebrated at 7:00 AM on

• 7 of December 
• 14 of December
• 21 of December