Our Faith - Religion - Prayer
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Walcha
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 at 10 am.
The Season of Advent commencing Sunday - 27th November
Advent heralds in the church's new year. This year it begins on Sunday, November 27.
Advent is a season of waiting. Many of the words we pray and sing are full of desire, hope and expectation. We wait as the days get warmer, and as the school year draws to a close. We look forward to the summer holidays. This 'waiting' can help us to celebrate Advent well.
Advent is a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ's first coming is remembered. It is not a penitential season like Lent but rather one of joyful expectation. We know that the first coming of Jesus at Bethlehem will not happen again, so during Advent, we prepare and long for a new coming of Jesus into our lives. We take this time every year to practise how to receive Jesus every day of our lives! We remember the call of Jesus to his followers to make our world a peaceful and loving place, and so, during Advent, we make special efforts to be signs that God is with us. This is what the word 'Emmanuel' means-'God is with us.'
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.
End of Year and Year 6 Graduation Mass -Friday 9th December at 11.30am
On Friday 9th December all of the staff and students will be celebrating our End of Year and Year 6 Graduation Mass at St Patrick's Catholic Church at 11.30 am. Everyone is welcome to join us for this special event.
Catherine McAuley
