Advent
Invite to Mass & Letter from Father Umberg
Dear St. Ignatius Parishioners,
My first year as pastor of St. Ignatius has already passed, and it is time again to prepare for Advent and Christmas!
It is a blessing to be at a parish with so many activities for spiritual revitalization and growth, and so many opportunities for coming back to the Lord. A peaceful and joyful celebration of Christmas is helped by a good preparation of our souls in Advent, and a fervent participation in the rich liturgies of the Christmas Season. We are adding a few new Christmas decorations in the church, and we will dedicate a new outdoor Nativity scene on the Second Sunday of Advent. I hope that you will find them inspiring.
Please look through the enclosed invitation to celebrate Advent and Christmas with us. It is my sincere hope that you will take part in preparing the way for the Lord Jesus and celebrating His coming at Christmas. May God bless you with a blessed Advent and a merry Christmas!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Andrew J. Umberg
Pastor
Click here for the Advent & Christmas season Mass and Confession schedule!
Memorial Flower Fund (click the graphic to enlarge)
Please return donation cards by December 20 or click here to make an online donation. More cards can be found at the doors of church or in the parish office.
A complete list of remembrances will be posted in January to the St. Ignatius website and church bulletin.
Advent Opportunities:
Magnificat Advent Companion Booklet
Available now in the church.
Seeking Our Savior: An Advent Family Event
Sunday, November 30, 1:30 – 3 p.m.
For families with children ages 3 – 10. Space is limited. Register here.
Christmas Pageant Presented by the 4th Grade
Wednesday, December 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the church.
The Giving Tree
Now – Sunday, December 14
Take an ornament off any of the trees inside the church, purchase the item, and return the wrapped gift with the ornament attached to it.
Mater Filius
Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7
Knights of Columbus collection (at the main church doors) to help pregnant women who find themselves without the support of family or who are experiencing financial difficulties.
Learn more about the Giving Tree and Mater Filius
Mike Davis Concert
Tuesday, December 9 at 7 p.m.
Featuring: Popular Singer and Catholic Evangelist Mike Davis. Prepare for the coming of Christ this Advent by joining Mike Davis for a powerful night of prayer, music and scripture. It is a night of power and prayer that can change your life! The event is free to the public. A freewill donation is always appreciated.
Rorate Mass
Saturday, December 13 at 6:30 a.m.
A donut breakfast/social will follow at Loyola Hall.
The Rorate Mass is a particular votive Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated during Advent. The atmosphere of this Mass is different: it is meant to specifically express the expectant and prayerful waiting of Advent in a visual and experiential way. It is celebrated before first light and is entirely candle-lit (accounting for our early start time). The Mass gets its name from its entrance antiphon, which begins with the words “Rorate Caeli”, meaning “drop down, you heavens.” The antiphon in full is taken from the book of the prophet Isaiah: “Drop down, you heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down the just one.” This quote encapsulates the prophetic expectation of the Messiah, fulfilled at the coming of Christ through Mary.
This is an opportunity to enter the Mass in (literally) a different light and a tradition that can help give shape to Advent, which, even within the Church, has gotten somewhat lost in the rush to celebrate Christmas.
In short, there’s no better use of your Saturday morning—please join us for this Advent Mass!
Advent Calendar for Children
Click the graphic to enlarge.
How to Return to Confession & Mass Guides
Click the graphics to enlarge.
Home Blessings for the Season of Advent
Blessing the Advent Wreath
& Manger or Nativity Scene (Shorter Rite)
Blessing of a Christmas Tree
The “O Antiphons” of Advent
Reflection: The O Antiphons of Advent