Advent
Make a Family Advent Wreath – Event Full
Sunday, November 20 after the 9am and 10:30am Mass
Families are invited to stop by Pancake Breakfast and make a Advent Wreath for your family. Email Stacy with any questions.
We will have advent resources in the commons for families – Jesse Tree, Reverse Advent calendar bags, count down calendar, and family friendly activities, prayers, and more!
Blessing of the Advent Wreaths
All Masses, the weekend of November 26 – 27
Families are invited to bring their Advent wreaths to Mass on the 1st Sunday of Advent to receive a special blessing.
Senior Advent Retreat
Thursday, December 1 at 9:45am
All Seniors 55+ and GSSSF (Good Shepherd Single Seniors Fellowship) Members are invited for a spiritual retreat during the Advent season with Father Tom. RSVP to GSSSF@gs-cc.org.
Advent Morning of Reflection: Waiting in Joyful Anticipation
*This event has been cancelled.*
Saturday, December 3, 9am – 12pm
All adults are invited to join us Saturday morning, December 3 for an Advent retreat led by Deacon Tom White. We will begin with Mass and then time for fellowship, individual reflection, and small group discussion to get your Advent started prayerfully. Please RSVP to Joan.
Advent Evening of Reconciliation
Monday, December 5, 4:30 – 5:30pm and 6:30 – 8pm
Prepare your hearts for Christmas! Priests will be available to hear confessions in English and Spanish.
St. Nicholas Adoration and Dinner
Tuesday, November 6, 5:30 – 7pm
All families are invited to join us for a family-friendly Adoration from 5:30 – 6pm. There will be dinner served afterwards. Click here to RSVP.
Journey to the Manger
Friday, December 9, 6 – 8pm and Sunday, December 11 after 9am and 10:30am Mass
Prepare for Christmas with this multi-activity event where you will meet shepherds and angels who came to see the newborn King. Join us Friday night and explore the city of Bethlehem, visit the shops and make an ornament, interact with the wisemen, watch the Nativity story come to life, and purchase dinner from the Bethlehem Café (all proceeds benefit High School work camp). On Sunday come after Mass for a self guided tour.
Click here to RSVP for the Friday night event. No RSVP is needed for Sunday, December 5. Volunteers are needed on Friday and Sunday! This is a great opportunity for middle and high schoolers. Click here to volunteer.
Simbang Gabi
Join us for Simbang Gabi Mass celebrated by Father Tom. A reception will follow Mass.
Simbang Gabi was introduced to the Philippines by Spanish friars in the 16th century. This novena of Masses is celebrated in the early morning hours, when the roosters crow to announce the coming of the new day (hence the name, Misa de gallo) for a very practical reason – Filipinos are mainly farmers or fisherfolk who either begin or end their day at dawn. Farmers begin their work at the crack of dawn to avoid the intense heat. Fishermen who spend all night at sea, come back to shore to sell their catch. Thus the Spanish missionaries decided just before dawn was the best time to gather all the people to pray and prepare for the coming of Jesus.
Christmas Carols on the Field
Sunday, December 18 7:30pm
Join us on the field as our choirs lead us in Christmas caroling!
Reverse Advent Calendar
Beginning the weekend of November 26 – 27
Pick up a blue St. Lucy bag to participate in our Reverse Advent Calendar. For each day in Advent, place one donated item in the bag and bring the filled bag with you to church on Christmas. All donations will be given to the St. Lucy project of our Diocese.
Giving Tree
Please take an ornament from the giving tree and bring a gift card to help a family in need through our Emergency Assistance Program, the United Community Holiday Gift Program, and the Mother of Light Center. We are requesting $30 gift cards from Walmart and/or Target. Please bring your gift cards to the office by Sunday, December 11. Thank you for sharing Christmas joy!
The Mother of Light Center will distribute gifts to over 500 children this Christmas! Visit their Amazon Wishlist to purchase gifts or bring new gifts (worth $20 – 35) and $30 gift cards (Walmart and/or Target) to 421 Clifford Avenue Alexandria, VA from 10am – 2pm, Monday – Saturday by Sunday, December 11.
Daily Advent Reflections by Father Tom and Advent Resources
Download our app to access short daily Advent reflections written by Father Tom! We also have a folder of resources including articles, videos, podcasts, music, and more to help you have a prayerful Advent!