Text Box: HOMELESS SHELTER Our parish will again participate in the Homeless Shelter in January. This year our guests will be WOMEN . The Shelter will operate Five nights a week. Volunteers are needed to cook meals, open up the shelter and stay overnight. For further information, please refer to the insert in the bulletin. CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE Next weekend we begin the Season of Advent. As is our custom, here at Assumption, a Christmas tree will be on the side altar with the names of children who are in need of toys. Please take a tag or two and help with this year’s Toy Drive for needy children. CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Our Christmas Pageant practice is in full swing. The Pageant will take place on Friday, December 19th at 8:00 P.M. Text Box: ANOINTING OF THE SICK There will be a special Mass of the Anointing of the Sick on Saturday, December 13th at 11:00 A.M. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is for all those who are physically ill. We cordially invite all our parishioners - young and old - who may have physical problems or concerns to come to this very special Mass of Anointing. PASTORAL COUNCIL The Pastoral Council will meet on Monday, December 1st at 8:00 P.M. in the rectory. The minutes of the last meeting were mailed. YEAR OF ST. PAUL This year is the 2000th Anniversary of the birth of St. Paul. Our parish will grant a special indulgence to those who join us for Mass on Dec. 8th - the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The conditions for receiving this indulgence are: private confession, reception of Holy Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Pope. Text Box: First Sunday of Advent Text Box: BVM Text Box: Assumption Text Box: From the Pastor’s Desk Dear Friends: This week we begin the Season of Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word “adventus” which means “coming” or “arrival.” The Season helps us remember two different comings. The first one is the second coming of Christ and reminds us that we need to prepare ourselves for His arrival at the end of time. This is reflected in the readings that we will hear telling us to be watchful and ready. The other “coming” is actually the first coming of Christ - Jesus who became a man and was born to Mary in Bethlehem. How wonderful that God gave us the very gift of His only Son. The color of Advent is violet. It reminds us that we are to welcome the King of Kings into this world. Violet represents humility as seen by the birth of Jesus in a manger. Violet also calls us to penance and offers us the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Penance. This year on the Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday (a day of Joy) - we will celebrate Solemn Vespers at 5:00 P.M. The Solemn Vespers is the prayer of the church and we cordially invite all our parishioners and friends to this prayerful moment. Yours in Christ, Rev. Michael A. Carrano