Advent is a time of joyful preparation and a time to stop and to reflect on our preparedness for the Lord Jesus to come given our mortality and or the end of time. For most of us, our thoughts are turned toward a joyful waiting for Christmas on December 25th. In fact, Advent is about the end times and not awaiting a historical event Christmas day. Looking for Christ each day in the bustle and uncertainties of life is challenging. We need to ask, how does Jesus come into my life through friends, family, reconciliation of long past disputes etc. Outside of Easter, the Advent/Christmas season surely is rich in customs and traditions from all nationalities. I would like to briefly call you attention to the Polish tradition of ‘oplatki bread’ Each year, we place those white packets during Advent at the entrances of the church. If you are Polish or Lithuanian, they are a regular stay every Advent. If not, I would like to explain so you too can partake of this beautiful custom. These unleavened (no yeast) wafers are baked from pure wheat flour and water, very thin, and rectangular in shape. Their taste is like the Eucharistic bread we use for Communion. The custom began in the 10th century in Poland. Before the Christmas meal, prayers are said, and the bread is broken and shared with the entire family. This rich symbolism, like the Eucharist, shows the unity of the family beginning with the father, mother, children etc. The breads are often placed in envelopes and sent all over the world to loved ones to participate along with the family despite the distance. You can do a google search and find prayers to accompany this beautiful custom before your Christmas meal. Finally, December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Since December 8th falls on Sunday, the feast day must be moved to Monday December 9th . No Holy Day, Feast Day etc are not allowed to be celebrated on any Sunday. Sunday’s always take precedence in the liturgical calendar that’s why it was moved to Monday December 9th. YES, it is a holy day of obligation meaning you must attend Mass. We are NOT permitted either to do a vigil the night before because it is Sunday and no feast day, holy day, etc as previously stated can be celebrated on Sundays. That’s why we can only have 1 Mass on Monday December 9th at 6:30 pm. Yes, we will have the Miraculous Medal Novena on Monday December 9th but after the Holy Day Mass at 6:30 pm. There will be NO adoration prior to the Vigil Mass as we normally do each Monday. Blessings, Fr. Roach
