Advent
Advent Morning of Reflection
Wednesday, November 29 after 9am Mass in Creedon Hall
Join us for spiritual renewal to start your Advent! Talk with Father Tom including time for individual and group reflection. RSVP to GSSSF@gs-cc.org.
Journey to the Manger & Christmas Pageant
Friday, December 1, 6 – 8pm. RSVP Required.
Join us for a trip to Bethlehem. Visit the shops to make crafts, meet the Shepherds in the field, learn about the wisemen’s journey, eat at the Bethlehem Café, and keep an eye out for Mary and Joseph who will be looking for a place to stay. We will end the evening with the Nativity story.
Since Advent starts on December 3, one of the crafts will be to make a family Advent wreath. Please indicate in your RSVP if your family would like a ticket to make a wreath.
Elementary age children are invited to participate in the Christmas Pageant. Rehearsals are the week of November 27. Click here if interested.
Adult and Teen volunteers are needed for setup/cleanup and during the event. Click here to volunteer.
Sunday, December 3 after the 9am and 10:30am Masses
Take a self guided tour of Bethlehem with take home activities and crafts. No RSVP required.
St. Nicholas Adoration and Dinner
Wednesday, December 6, 5:30 – 7pm
All families are invited to join us for a family-friendly Adoration from 5:30 – 6pm led by Father Tom. There will be dinner served afterwards along with an activity in honor of St. Nicholas. You are welcome to bring a dessert to share. Click here to RSVP.
Christmas Carols on the Field
Sunday, December 17, 7:30pm
Join us on the field as our choirs lead us in Christmas caroling! Due to weather, caroling will be held in the church.
Advent Evening of Reconciliation
Monday, December 18, 4:30 – 5:30pm and 6:30 – 8pm
Prepare your hearts for Christmas! Priests will be available to hear confessions in English and Spanish.
We will have a Pizza & Penance dinner from 5 – 7pm! So stop by after confession for pizza, salad, and dessert. RSVP here to plan for pizza.
Simbang Gabi
Saturday, December 23 at 6am
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.
Giving Tree
Bring a $25 gift card to the office by Friday, December 15
Please take an ornament from the giving tree and bring a gift card to help a family in need through United Community Holiday Gift Program, Good Shepherd Housing, and the Mother of Light Center. We are requesting $25 gift cards from Walmart and/or Target. Please bring your gift cards to the office by Friday, December 15. Thank you for sharing Christmas joy!
The Mother of Light Center will distribute gifts to 1000 children this Christmas! Use the Amazon wish lists below to ship Christmas gifts or winter clothes directly to the center by December 9. Click here to learn more or volunteer.
Reverse Advent Calendar
Beginning the weekend of December 2 – 3
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.
Advent Resources
Download our app to access a folder of resources including articles, videos, podcasts, music, and more to help you have a prayerful Advent!
Our video series, Drawing on the Divine has returned for Advent and Christmas! Click here to watch the series!
The Jesse Tree and O Antiphons are both Advent traditions! Click here to learn more and find printable ornaments to help celebrate the Advent season!
