Father Hathaway’s Column — November 27, 2022

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT, NOVEMBER 27

Grant, Your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet Your Christ with righteous deeds at His coming, so that, gathered at His right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.                                                                                      

(Collect of the Mass, First Sunday in Advent)

Today, November 27, is the First Sunday of Advent. We now begin a four-week season of hopeful longing, joyful expectation and prayerful penance as we prepare to celebrate Christ’s coming as an infant at Christmas and His Coming as our Redeemer at the end of time. Saint Bernard wrote: “Steep yourselves in the meaning of these Advent days. And, above all, pay heed to Him who is approaching.”

A popular Advent tradition to help the entire family prepare for the coming of the Christ Child is the Advent wreath, typically a circle of evergreen with four candles. The first candle is lit on the First Sunday of Advent as we pray or reflect on Sacred Scripture. The second, third and fourth candles are lit on the following Sundays. Three candles are usually violet, symbolizing the prayer, penance, preparatory sacrifices and good works we should undertake during Advent. One candle is rose-colored and is lit on the Third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, a day of rejoicing as the birth of Christ draws near.

We will bless and light our Basilica Advent wreath at Mass this weekend. In your home, an Advent wreath can be blessed by a parent or other family member. You can find prayers for blessing your wreath at https://www.usccb.org/prayers/blessing-advent-wreath.

THE MASS EXPLAINED, NOVEMBER 28

Everyone is invited to join our RCIA class for a special presentation, “The Mass Explained,” by Father Noah Morey, on Monday, November 28, in the Basilica, beginning at 7 p.m. He will take us through the Mass, step by step. What a great way for everyone – from cradle Catholic to newcomer – to learn more about the Mass and the Eucharist, the very source and summit of our Catholic faith.

 GIVING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29

GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a day for people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a global movement inspiring hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.

You can participate in GivingTuesday 2022, November 29, by donating to the Basilica of Saint Mary’s hard-working Saint Vincent de Paul Society. SVdP volunteers offer person-to-person service, helping individuals and families stay in their homes, keep the heat on and food on their tables. To make your GivingTuesday donation, please click here. Read more about the SVdP and how you can get involved at www.stmaryoldtown/apostolate/svdp.

Also check out my latest cooking video, with a focus on thanking God for all His gifts and encouraging everyone to help others in need by donating to our Saint Vincent de Paul on GivingTuesday. You can find the video by clicking here. Let me know what you think, and thanks for supporting our SVdP for GivingTuesday!