Upcoming Advent and Christmas Events: Preparing and Entering into a Meaningful Celebration

St. Benedict Cathedral Parish has a variety of events and activities planned to help us make a meaningful Advent journey, as well as a joyful celebration of the birth of Christ.

Our Fun-Raising Committee invites us to welcome the season of waiting with a special Advent event on Nov. 28.

“As always, we will continue our decades-old commitment to the poor through the Dove Tree Program,” Fr. Godfrey Mullen says. “Our generosity to those in need during the preparation for the birth of the Christ child helps us focus on what is so important — using the gifts God has given for the good of the needy.”

The doves have been placed in the church at the beginning of Advent. Parishioners who wish to take part take a dove labeled with items to purchase, purchase the items, wrap them (unless otherwise indicated), and return them to church by the deadline. The items then are distributed to the homes and agencies our parish assists.

“Every year, we have a few parishioners who contribute cash for this program so that gifts that don’t get returned can be purchased,” Fr. Godfrey says. “While this project assists families in need, it also reminds us to seek out the needy Christ and to serve Him in the least of our brothers and sisters.

“We also have opportunities for our students’ families to show their appreciation to our teachers, who have been so heroic in the past few years,” he says.

As the celebration of Christmas approaches, some classes in our parish grade school will be offering a Christmas program on Dec. 7. More information on these programs will be forthcoming.

Even as our schedules fill at this time of year, there are many opportunities we can embrace to bring joy to this season.

“Our world could surely use the joy of Christmas, now as much as ever,” Fr. Godfrey says. “I encourage all our parishioners to seek some time of peace even amid the hectic work of preparation. Find a ‘retreat hour’ or a ‘retreat 10 minutes’ once or twice during Advent. Reflect on the simple and elegant story of Christ’s birth as a sign of God’s undying love and let that be heard deeply by the ear of your hearts. Let every gift you give share in the gift God gives His people. Let every gift you receive be a reminder of the unending gift of mercy that God has always shown His people. And remember, it is right and just, always and everywhere, to give God thanks.”

Our Advent wreath as it was placed for the 2019 season

Fr. Godfrey advises us to watch the weekly bulletins for timely announcements. The following Masses are planned for the celebration of Christmas:

Friday, Dec. 24

9 a.m. — Weekday Mass

4:30 p.m. — Christmas Eve Children’s Mass

12 a.m. — Christmas Midnight Mass with choir prelude

Saturday, Dec. 25

9 a.m. — Christmas Day Mass

There is NO 4:30 p.m. Mass

Sunday, Dec. 26

8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses