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St Patrick's Church Walcha 

For Baptism or Marriage enquiries phone Monsignor Ted Wilkes 67784070.

Monsignor Ted Wilkes would like to invite parishioners to Sunday Mass 10am.

Covid-19 restrictions for Mass are in place.

Sacrament Dates for 2021

2021 First Reconciliation Year 2 Catholic Students - A date to be confirmed in Term 4.

ADVENT

The Season of Advent -28th November

Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. The first Sunday of Advent is also the start of each new Church year. 

This Sunday, 28 November, the season of Advent will begin.  Advent is a time for us to prepare for the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Christmas day. The word Advent comes from the Latin word advenio, which means 'coming' or 'visit.'  We are called to come to the celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas; we are also called to be aware of the coming of Christ in our lives through grace and the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Colours of Advent

Advent colours are purple and rose. At Mass the priest’s vestments, altar cloths, and Advent candles are purple, except for the third Sunday of the season, Gaudete Sunday, when the colour is rose, for joy. There is also a white candle for Christmas Day itself, usually in the middle of the Advent wreath.

One of the major symbols of the Advent season is the wreath. The encircling wreath is symbolic of God without beginning or end and the green foliage represents our hope in God. There are five candles in the wreath: 3 purple, 1 pink and a central white candle representing the light of Christ that came into the world.

The first candle, which is purple, symbolises hope. It is often called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah.

The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.

The third candle is rose/pink and symbolises joy. It is called the “Shepard’s Candle,” and is pink because rose it is a liturgical colour for joy and is meant to remind us of the joy that is anticipated in the world experienced at the birth of Jesus.

On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Saviour. This final candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolises peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”

The progressive lighting of the candles marks the journey towards the Nativity.

PRAYER - Advent 

Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ's promise to bring us salvation. May he come quickly and not delay. 

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Catherine McAuley

A quote from the writings of Catherine McAuley - How quietly the great God does all His mighty works! Darkness is spread over us, and light breaks in again.