ST. PATRICK PARISH
2023 ADVENT
The liturgical season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (closest to the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle) and spans four Sundays and four weeks of spiritual preparation by the faithful before Christmas, although the last week of Advent is usually truncated because of when Christmas falls. In 2023, Advent begins Sun, December 3, and ends on Sun, December 24. This means that a vigil Mass (4 pm or after) on Saturday, December 23 or a morning/early afternoon Mass (before 4 pm) on Sunday, December 24 fulfills the Fourth Sunday of Advent obligation. A vigil Mass on Sunday, December 24 (4 pm or after) or Mass anytime on Christmas Day fulfills the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Holy Day obligation. In other words, there is not a two-for-one option. There are two obligations, and they need to be fulfilled with two Masses.
* livestream Mass
MASS TIMES
FIRST (12/03), SECOND (12/10), & THIRD (12/17) SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Normal Mass Schedule: Sat Vigil • 5 PM & Sun • 7 AM, *9 AM, 11 AM, *1 PM (Spanish), & 5 PM
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Holy Day of Obligation
Thur Vigil, December 7 • 7 PM (bilingual/bilingüe 7:00 PM)
Fri, December 8 • 6:30 AM, *8 AM, 9:30 AM
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Spanish Mass • Tue, December 12 • 6 PM • Church
Misa Español • 12 de diciembre • 6:00 PM • Iglesia
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
A vigil Mass on Sat, December 23 or a morning Mass on Sun, December 24 fulfills the Fourth Sunday of Advent obligation.
Sat, December 23 • 5 PM
Sun, December 24 • 7 AM, *9 AM, & *11 AM (bilingual/bilingüe 11:00 AM)
2023 CHRISTMAS
The liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him, including the fact that he was born to die for us.
MASS TIMES
THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS)
A vigil Mass on Sunday, December 24 or Mass on Christmas Day fulfills the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Holy Day obligation.
Christmas Eve - Sun, December 24
*4 PM Church
4 PM Gym
*6 PM Spanish/Español - Church/Iglesia
6 PM Gym
10 PM Church
There will be a 20-minute music prelude before the 4 PM & 10 PM Masses. At 4 PM & 6 PM, there are two separate, in-person Masses; one in the church & one in the school gym; the gym Mass is a live Mass, NOT a livestream of the church Mass. At 6 PM, a Spanish Mass will be held in church and an English Mass will be held in the gym. SEATING: If it is your practice to send a couple of family members to reserve spots at the 4 PM Christmas Mass, please make sure that everyone is in Church by 3:30 as we will begin to fill the seats in after this time.
Christmas Morning - Mon, December 25
7 AM
9 AM
11 AM
NOTE: No 5 PM Mass
HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
Sat Vigil, December 30 • 5 PM
Sun, December 31 • 7 AM, *9 AM, 11 AM, *1 PM (Spanish)
NOTE: No 5 PM Mass
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
NOT a Holy Day of Obligation in 2024 (when a feast falls on either a Monday or a Saturday the obligation is removed.)
Mon, January 1 • *9 AM
EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
Sat Vigil, January 6 • 5 PM
Sun, January 7 • 7 AM, *9 AM, 11 AM, *1 PM (Spanish), & 5 PM
BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Not a Holy Day of Obligation
Mon, January 8 • 6:30 AM, *8 AM
The Baptism of the Lord is normally observed on the first Sunday after Jan. 6, but this year it is transferred to Monday, January 8 because the celebration of Epiphany is transferred to Sunday, January 7.
* livestream Mass
MASS ATTENDANCE HEALTH GUIDELINES
Parishioners who are sick, homebound, immunocompromised, or gravely concerned for their health retain the dispensation from the obligation to attend any Mass, which has always been the case, and are encouraged to stay home and watch our livestream. We will livestream all Masses marked with an asterisk (*) above on our YouTube and Facebook pages. Though we should take the obligation to attend Mass seriously, no one is ever morally obligated to do something that would jeopardize their health or the health of other people.
PREPARING OUR HEARTS
RECONCILIATION
During Advent, our priests will be present to hear confessions on:
- Wednesdays, December 6, 13, & 20 from 7:00-7:30 AM
- Thursdays, December 7, 14, & 21 at 5:00 PM (two priests available)
- Saturdays, December 9, 16, & 23 from 4:00-4:45 PM (two priests available)
- Wednesday, December 20 at 6:00 PM (in addition to Fr. Brian, Fr. Skillman, and Fr. Detwiler, other priests will be present to hear confessions that evening)
Confession is an excellent way to prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Christ. All are encouraged to come and experience the healing mercy of God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
After December 25, the normal schedule will resume with Reconciliation on Thursdays at 5 PM and Saturdays at 4 PM.
FORGIVEN
You're invited to an at-home, self-guided program, Forgiven, as it communicates God’s invitation to each one of us to come experience his indescribable love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Whether you haven’t been to Confession in a long while or you go regularly, you don’t want to miss this series. Go to formed.org and search for Forgiven and then CLICK HERE to download the at-home study guide.
Session 1 - Where are You?
Session 2 - An Encounter with Mercy
Session 3 - The Rite Explained
Session 4 - Biblical Foundations
Session 5 - Your Questions Answered
PRAYER
Rosary & Holy Hour • Thursdays, *11:00 AM (English) & 7:00 PM (Spanish) • Chapel
Daily Mass • Monday-Friday, 6:30 AM & 8:00 AM; Saturday, 8:00 AM • Church
Personal Prayer • 24 hours a day, 7 days a week • Code 9876 • Chapel
EVENTS
Prepare...Family Advent Afternoon • Sun, December 3 • 12 PM • School Cafeteria
- Create Your Own Advent Wreath
- Crafts
- Snacks
- Family Fun
Along with other Advent Afternoon activities, which are free of charge, everyone is invited to make an Advent wreath for their home. For the Advent wreath, there is a charge of $15 for materials and instruction. If making a wreath, which is not required to attend Advent Afternoon, bring a pruner or heavy-duty scissors to trim the fresh evergreen branches. Register early as there are only 50 wreath kits available. Registration is required to attend Advent Afternoon so we can plan for materials. Deadline to register is Mon, November 27, 2023 RSVP HERE
Advent by Candlelight • Saturday, December 2 • 6:00 - 9:00 PM • Social Hall
Join us for a heartwarming gathering where we come together to create a cozy ambiance with candlelit tables adorned in elegant linens and bring a dish to share with one another. You can participate as an individual, with a few friends, or as a group of eight. Relax, savor the company, and immerse yourself in an evening of togetherness. "Advent by Candlelight" is a special gift to women, offering a tranquil respite from the holiday rush and a chance to center our thoughts and hearts on the birth of Christ.
Extend this invitation to the wonderful women in your life, be it family members, friends, or neighbors, and embark on a Christ-centered journey as we prepare for the holiday season. The best part? There is no cost to attend this event. However, please be aware that space is limited, so we strongly recommend making your reservations as early as possible. Feel free to share this link: bit.ly/3AbC4wn. Registration is required to attend Advent by Candlelight RSVP HERE
3:30 – 5:00 PM - Decorate our tables
5:00 – 6:00 PM - Mass
6:00 – 9:00 PM - Food, friends, and fellowship
Advent by Candlelight Photo Album
Advent by Tailgate • Sunday, December 3 • 6:15 - 9:00 PM • Church
How do Catholic men prepare for the grandeur of Christmas? By embracing the tradition of tailgating! St. Patrick welcomes you to a spirited tailgating event, where we commemorate the Advent season and fortify our faith as men. Join us as we ready ourselves for the arrival of Christ in the world, surrounded by friends and festivities. Together, we'll uplift one another on the journey to becoming the best brothers, husbands, and fathers we can be.
Our evening begins with a moment of reflection indoors, followed by the outdoor tailgate celebration. Please bring your preferred beverages, and we'll supply the chili dogs. There is no cost associated with this event. Be sure to dress warmly, as we'll be outdoors.
Feel free to extend this invitation to others by sharing this link: bit.ly/3AbT4mn. While it's not mandatory, we kindly request your RSVP to aid in our preparations, ensuring we have sufficient food and snacks available. RSVP HERE
The Giving Tree
Visit The Giving Tree during the weeks of Advent. Please take a card with a donation request written on the back and then place your unwrapped donation under the tree. All donations will be given to Birthright of Wentzville. As a service project, the 4th grade PSR classes make and decorate The Giving Tree. The Giving Tree will be in the church gathering area beginning November 18. Note: Please only give UNWRAPPED donations. If your donation is wrapped, we will unwrap it before taking it to Birthright. Items received from our Giving Tree are used throughout the year.
Breakfast with Santa • Sun, December 3 • after 7 & 9 AM Masses • Social Hall
After the 7:00 & 9:00 AM Masses on Sun, December 3 at St. Patrick, Santa will visit and take pictures with children of all ages ($5 photo). The Knights will also be hosting an All-You-Can-Eat breakfast with pancakes, sausage, biscuits & gravy, scrambled eggs, and beverages! Adults $8, kids 6-12 $4 (5 & under Free). Cash, check, or credit cards accepted. All proceeds will be donated to St. Patrick Youth Ministry for their retreat fund.
Adopt-A-Family
Cash donations are accepted for the Adopt-A-Family program to help supplement the gifts from the adopters. Please place your donation (payable to St. Patrick) in an envelope marked “Adopt-A-Family” and place it in the collection basket or drop it off at the parish office. Volunteers Needed: Visit bit.ly/45E8sda or call the parish office to sign up to help transport items on Sat, December 9 after the 8 AM Mass.
RESOURCES
Little Blue Book
Six minutes a day. That’s what you’re asked to give during these next 43 days – the 24 days of the Advent season and the 19 days of the Christmas season. Each 24-hour day has 240 “six-minute” blocks of time. During the Advent and Christmas seasons, you’re asked to give just one of those to the Lord. Little Blue Books will be available in the narthex beginning the first weekend of Advent.
Advent Collection of Resources
To help you and your families celebrate Advent well this year, Catholic Formation has put together an amazing list of over 30 Advent resources and even categorized them for an easy search. Visit formationreimagined.org/advent-resources-2023.
I Am Here
We invite you to spend a few minutes each day this Advent preparing to celebrate Christmas and the gift of Jesus, by joining the I AM HERE Advent challenge today! Text “ADVENT” to 84576 to join or sign up here. I AM HERE is a campaign by the Archdiocese of Detroit and Hallow App in support of the National Eucharistic Revival.
Online Advent Reflections
FORMED - Receive a daily reminder to dive into the depths of God’s Word. You may also opt-in to receive children’s reflections to include the whole family. Sign up at formed.org
DYNAMIC CATHOLIC - A free daily video program, sent straight to your email, that will help you prepare for Christmas like never before! Sign up at dynamiccatholic.com/best-advent-ever