Advent

This Sunday marks the start of Advent which is the beginning of the Church year for most churches in the Western tradition.

The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” The focus of this special season in the Church calendar is preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation and of longing. It is a time where we remember the true meaning of Christmas and try to prepare for the birth of Jesus by embodying the spirit of Christmas and doing kind things for others. It is a time when we may donate our time, money or gifts to charities to help those less fortunate.

The advent season in the Catholic church is marked by the lighting of one candle at each Sunday Mass. The wreath symbolises the advent (coming) of light into the world. The gradual lighting of the four candles, one on each Sunday of the Advent season, combined with the liturgical colours of the candles (purple is the penitential colour used during Advent and Lent; rose is a liturgical colour used only on Gaudete Sunday in Advent and Laetare Sunday in Lent) help to symbolise our expectation and hope in Our Saviour’s first coming into the world.

As part of our advent preparations, we encourage families and staff to give generously to our St. Vincent de Paul Christmas hamper appeal.