Today is the First Sunday in Advent and Father Francis lights the first of our Advent Candles.
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent, and one candle is lit each Sunday. Three of the candles are purple because the colour purple is a liturgical colour that signifies a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice. The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes hopeThe second candle, also purple, represents faith. The colour of the Third Sunday of Advent is rose. This colour symbolizes joy and represents the happiness we will experience when Jesus comes again. The Third Sunday is a day of anticipatory celebration. It is formerly called “Gaudete” Sunday; gaudete means “rejoice” in Latin. The final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes peace. The white candle is placed in the middle of the wreath and lit on Christmas Eve
Advent comes from the Latin word meaning “coming.” Jesus is coming, and Advent is intended to be a season of preparation for His arrival. While we typically regard Advent as a joyous season, it is also intended to be a period of preparation, much like Lent. Prayer, penance and fasting are appropriate during this season.
Today we also have the mass of ENROLMENT for children for Confirmation. We welcome the canditates and their families to our mass today.
Today is also Education Sunday and there will be a Second Collection today for Education Sunday.
Education Sunday – theme for 2021
During this Catholic Education Week we are asked to reflect upon the Catholic school as a community of celebration and worship, with Jesus Christ at its centre.
Education Sunday – appeal for teachers
If you would like further information on becoming a teacher in our Catholic schools, please contact the Scottish Catholic Education Service: mail@sces.uk.com
Each year at this time, we celebrate Catholic Education Week. During this week we:
- celebrate the God-given talents and achievements of our young people;
- acknowledge the hard work and faith witness of the staff in our schools;
- mark the unique contribution that Catholic Education makes to our families, our parishes and to wider Scottish society; and reflect on the mission of the Catholic school for the future.
BLESSING OF CRIB IN GEORGE SQUARE – Will take place on Wednesday 1st December at 6.30pm.
ST NICHOLAS CARE FUND – There is a letter from the Archdiocese about the St Nicholas Care Fund on the notice board at the back of the church. Please read it.
THE SCOTTISH CALTHOLIC – Scotland’s catholic Magazine 4th issue is for sale at the back of the church price is £2.00.
CHRISTMAS STALL – There are Christmas cards and other items for sale on the table at the back of the church, please feel free to browse. Payment should be placed in the wooden box in the porch.
In a pastoral letter from the Bishops of Scotland it was announced that the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holydays of Obligation will be reinstated from Sunday 2nd January, the first of the new year. That Sunday coincides with the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. It will be an occasion for us to join the wise men in offering worship to the Infant Jesus.
In accordance with the common teaching of the Church this obligation does not bind those in ill health or those otherwise impeded from attending Mass. Nor, in the context of Covid, does it bind those showing symptoms of the virus or with underlying health conditions, or those with responsibilities for people in need of special care.