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LITURGY: Advent & Christmas
Last revised:
November 26, 2007 5:49 PM
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MERRY CHRISTMAS! "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."
~ Isiah
9:6 | On
This Page:
Advent Wreath & Blessing | Things
You Can Do This Season | Christmas Collections
Blessing of the Christmas Tree | Weigela:
Offering of Oplatek (Christmas Wafers)
Feast of the
Holy Family: The Creche | The Twelve Days of Christmas
| ADVENT & CHRISTMAS MASS
SCHEDULE We are all connected. This Advent,
how can we move toward practicing oneness in our faith?
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ADVENT TEA AT ST. BLASE SOCIAL CENTER
Saturday, December 1,
2007 at 6:30 pm What is the Advent Tea? The advent tea is a candlelit prayer
service for women centered on the advent wreath. Our program will focus on the
Women of the Bible. Women are grouped eight to a table. If you are interested
in hosting a table or would like further information about what is involved in
hosting a table, please contact us through the Parish Office (586) 268-2244.
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ADVENT CONCERT
Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 3:00 pm Now
would be a good time to mark your calendars for an upcoming music concert put
on by the Music Program of St. Blase. On Sunday, December 2nd at 3:00 pm, the
musicians will be singing and our own Ben Ancona will once again serve as Master
of Ceremonies. The afternoon promises to be a wonderful chance to just relax and
celebrate the season of Advent. We all know that the days that precede Christmas
can be incredibly taxing, so why not take a couple hours and join us. The concert
is FREE, although there will be a free will offering collected to help support
the Music Program. We'd also like you to bring a couple of canned goods that will
help build up our pantry for the winter.
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IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Friday & Saturday,
December 7 & 8 The Immaculate Conception, is a Holy
Day of Obligation. There is often confusion surrounding the Immaculate of Conception.
By the name of the feast day, one would think we would celebrate the day Jesus
was conceived. However, it is the day that the Blessed Mother Mary was conceived.
- Friday, December 7
Vigil of Immaculate Conception
7:00 pm Mass - Saturday, December 8
Solemnity of
the Immaculate Conception at 9:30 am Mass
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PENANCE SERVICES
Tuesday, December 11 at
12:00 Noon St. Blase
Tuesday, December 18 at 7:00 pm St.
Jane Frances There is also the opportunity for private
celebrations of the sacrament every Saturday at 3:00 PM. Communal celebrations
are scheduled during Advent and Lent. The Sacrament of Penance may also be made
by appointment. Need a refresher on how to practice the Sacrament
of Penance, then visit here....
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FINDING
MASS TIMES AND LOCATIONS WORLDWIDE If you will
be traveling this Christmas and need to locate a nearby Church for Mass, call
1-800-MASSTIMES, a nationwide service in operation 24-hours a day. Times and locations
are also available on the internet at www.masstimes.org.
The service is sponsored by the Daughters of St. Paul, an order of sisters who
operate a network of religious bookstores around the country, in partnership with
the Catholic Communications Campaign of the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops.  | CHRISTMAS
MASS SCHEDULE - Monday, December 24 at 4:00 & Midnight
- Tuesday,
December 25 at 8:00 am & 11:00 am
|  | MARY,
MOTHER OF GOD - Monday, December
31 (Vigil Mass) at 4:00 pm
- Tuesday, January 1
at 9:30 am
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| ADVENT
WREATH and BLESSING The prayer of blessing
below can be used in you home. As your family gathers on the first Sunday of Advent,
bless the Advent wreath. The Book of Blessings, chapter 47, contains a complete
Order of Service for Blessing the Advent wreath. It includes an Opening Song,
an introduction, the proclamation of an Advent scripture, the blessing prayer,
intercessions, the Lord's Prayer and a Closing Prayer. Written
by D. Todd Williamson, © 2006 Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications;
1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org
| Advent
Wreath and Blessing 
Lord
God, your Church joyfully
awaits the coming of its Saver,
who enlightens
our hearts
and dispels the darkness
of ignorance and sin.
Pour forth
your blessings upon us
as we light the candles of this wreath;
may their
light reflect the splendor
of Christ, who is Lord
for ever and ever.
Prayer of Blessing of an Advent Wreath
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With these words, the Church hallow the circle
of greenery and candles that often marks our liturgical space during Advent. Formed
in a circle, an ancient symbol of God who has neither beginning nor end, the wreath
proclaims life in the midst of the seeming death of winter. Its candles proclaim
that Christ, who is to come again, is the light that no darkness can extinguish.
With each week of Advent we light one more candle and the darkness retreats just
a bit further. All of this is to help the Church recall
just what and who it is for which we wait during this season: the kingdom of God
in its fullness and the coming of the one who will banish all darkness
forever.
more
on celebrating Advent-Christmas more
on the History of the Advent Wreath Catholic
Supply Company of St. Louis has a beautiful selection of Advent Wreaths |
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Things
You Can Do this Advent or Christmas
The Advent
and Christmas seasons are especially good times to reflect on the gifts with which
God has blessed each of us, and to make every opportunity to use these gifts wherever
we are at St. Blase, at home, at school, and at work. Below are listed a few things
that you can do to be good stewards of God's gifts during this sacred time of
year: At
Church - Plan to
arrive early for Mass during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Use the extra time
for personal prayer or to chat with fellow parishioners.
- Set
aside 15 minutes a day to read and pray the seasons Scripture readings.
-
Invite a family new to the parish to join your family for coffee and bagels.
- Make a special effort
to welcome home the young adults who have been away at college or the military.
At
home - Put your
Nativity set in a prominent place, leaving the manger empty.
Each night gather
the family and pray together for others in need of food or shelter. Add one piece
of hay to the manger for every act of kindness done that day.
- Take
turns acting out or telling the Christmas story.
At
work - Organize
a food drive for local banks.
- Transform
coffee breaks into "good news break" - opportunities to compliment or
share a positive word with or about a co-worker.
- Send
a note to someone who is ill.
-
Secretly pray for your least favorite co-worker during this season.
At
school - Have lunch
with somebody new, outside your regular group of friends.
- Choose
one day a week and smile at everybody you meet that day.
- Secretly
pray for the others in your class- and don't forget your teacher!
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| Christmas
Collections This is the season
of giving, sharing, and loving. In God’s perfect goodness we receive the
love and mercy of Jesus. Our best response to this generosity is to generously
share what we value. All we have we have been given.
Your faithful contributions
to St. Blase throughout the year are deeply appreciated, and a very necessary
part of parish life. They allow a wide variety of ministries and services to continue
and flourish.
| The Christmas
Collection is the only collection we receive that is not assessed by the Archdiocese
of Detroit. For every dollar received here at St. Blase, with the exception
of the Christmas collection, we are assessed 6% by the Archdiocese of Detroit. This
is the perfect time of year to make up for the shortages and the deficits in the
parish budget. End of the year tax donations or other gifts are best given at
this time. For the Christmas
Collection please make your checks out to St. Blase Christmas 2007
PLEASE NOTE:
While our offertory
collection boxes will be in place, we will also be "passing the basket"
at the Christmas masses. We are doing this because of the large number of guests
who visit us at Christmas, and who wish to contribute but do not know about the
boxes. Please feel free to place your envelope in the box or in the basket as
it is passed. |
Stock Gifts Help Deductions
A gift of stock may be your most tax efficient way of Church giving. Any stock
that has appreciated and has been held for more than one year can be given. The
gift is received at market value, and is fully tax deductible. Such a gift saves
you the capital gains tax if it were sold for profit. Please consider St. Blase
for this kind of parish support. Your financial advisor can assist you with any
questions or transactions. Thank you. Make
a Gift Through an IRA Charitable Rollover
If you are over the
age of 70½, you must take a required minimum distribution from your IRA.
Normally, the amount of this distribution is taxed as ordinary income. However,
recent legislation permits you, for the remainder of 2006 and during 2007, to
make a direct gift from your IRA to a qualified charity, such as your parish,
the Catholic Services Appeal, the Archdiocese of Detroit Endowment Foundation,
Sacred Heart Major Seminary or another archdiocesan institution. Such
distributions,
while not subject to income tax, will still count toward fulfilling your required
minimum
distribution.
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 has a two-year
provision that allows you to exclude up to $100,000
from your gross income
in 2006 and 2007 for distributions made directly from your traditional IRA to
a
qualified charity.
The distribution must be from your IRA, not
a 401 (k) or other retirement plan. Also, the IRA distribution must be a direct
charitable gift and not a distribution to a donor-advised fund, a charitable remainder
trust or for a charitable gift annuity.
If you would like to take advantage
of these income tax savings and support the Church, please
review the following
helpful tips on how to handle your charitable gift correctly: -
Contact your IRA custodian or representative
before making a gift to arrange for the proper transfer of funds from your IRA
to the qualified charity. The check that is issued from the IRA must show that
it is made payable to the charity. -
Remember
that gifts can be made up to $100,000 per year in 2006 and 2007. For married couples,
each spouse can make a distribution from his or her IRA under the same provisions. -
While this topic is fresh on your mind,
ask your attorney and financial advisor how to make the church as beneficiary
of your will or trust or IRA. For
more information about the Pension Protection Act of 2006, and how you can benefit
from a charitable IRA rollover, contact the parish office or the Archdiocese of
Detroit Office of Planned Giving at (800) 986-3925 or (313) 883-8771.
These helpful tips are only for your information on this new law and are not
to be considered as legal, tax or financial advice. You should consult with your
legal, tax and financial advisors to implement the benefits of this new law and
related matters. |
| Blessing of the
Christmas Tree
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The Christmas Tree has its origins in the middle
of the first thousand years of Christianity. In some regions it was part of great
pageants and dramas, representing the paradise tree that stood in the center of
the Garden of Eden. At the same time, it represented the tree of the cross, standing
in the new paradise established by Christ’s death and Resurrection. In other
regions it represented the one who connects heaven and earth, literally standing
as a bridge between earth and eternity— the tree, rooted in the ground, with
an angel or a star on its top. | No
matter its origin, this sign of Christmas now adorns houses, churches and public
places. The lights of the tree as well are fundamental signs of Christ who is
the light of the world. The tree is decorated in festive ornaments, and all of
its brilliance reminds us of the one for whom we wait until the end of time.
On this night, bless and light the tree that stands as a sign of him who
is Emmanuel—God-With-Us. The Book of Blessings, chapter 49, offers a complete
order for this ritual. Gather before or after Mass and sing a favorite Christmas
carol. Proclaim one of the Christmas readings and then pray, asking God to bless
the tree. Follow this with Intercessions and then together pray the Lord’s
Prayer. With a Closing Prayer, conclude the blessing in joy and rejoice in Christ’s
presence in the world.
Written by D. Todd
Williamson. © 2006, Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications;
1-800-933-1800; www.LTP.org. |
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Weigela: Offering of Oplatek
(Christmas Wafers)
Young people will be offering
the Oplatek (Christmas Wafers) for sale in the gathering space. A donation of
$2.00 is suggested. Plan to get yours for your Christmas celebrations! See
more on this Polish tradition... |
| Feast of the
Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
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The Crèche
The
first image of a crèche can be traced to the end of the fourth century.
It is found on the wall of a burial chamber of a Christian family in Rome. The
crèche, or manger/nativity scene, which we know today, is associated with
Saint Francis (twelfth century). One Christmas Eve he gathered with his friars
and people from the small town of Greccio, not far from Assisi. There he created
a life-size depiction of the manger scene of Christ’s birth. We are told
that Francis received a vision of the Christ child appearing to him in the crib
of this scene. | As
an image of the manger scene, the crèche serves as a picture of the great
mystery of the Incarnation. In a way, it is the whole mystery of the Incarnation
in one image: Christ became flesh (represented by the Christ child with his parents,
Mary and Joseph) and was born into the world (the crib and the manger), to call
people of every race and nation (the shepherds rubbing elbows with the magi),
and to unite all creation (the ox, ass, and sheep) with heaven (the star or the
angel).
The power of the crèche is in its ability to draw us into
this scene depicting the mystery of the Incarnation: God, in human form, entering
our world, coming among us as one of us in the most vulnerable form, that of a
child. The crèche is such that we are able to enter into this scene, and
to see ourselves with the shepherds and the magi. Its power and grace come form
its ability to engage us and to connect to our lives, to our situations, to the
joys and struggles we are experiencing whenever we enter into this holy scene.
Written by D. Todd Williamson. © 2006, Archdiocese
of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications; 1-800-933-1800; www.LTP.org.
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| The Twelve
Days of Christmas
From 1558 until 1829,
Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith
openly.
Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
It
has two levels of meaning; the surface meaning, plus a hidden meaning known
only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for
a religious reality, which the children could remember. - The
“Partridge in a Pear Tree”, was Jesus Christ.
- Two
“Turtle Doves”, were the Old and New Testaments.
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Three “French Hens”, stood for faith, hope and love.
- Four
“Calling Birds”, were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
- Five “Golden Rings”, recalled the Torah
or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
- Six
“Geese-A-Laying”, stood for the six days of creation.
- Seven
“Swans A-Swimming”, represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
- Eight “Maids A-Milking”, were the eight
beatitudes.
- Nine “Ladies Dancing”,
were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control.
- Ten
“Lords A-Leaping”, were the Ten Commandments.
- Eleven
“Pipers Piping”, stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
- Twelve
“Drummers Drumming”, symbolized the twelve points of the Apostles’
Creed.
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