Christmas Mass Schedule 2023

Christmas Eve: Sunday, December 24
4:00pm at St. Maria Goretti Church
4:00pm at Our Lady of the Assumption Church

Christmas Day: Monday, December 25
7:30am at Our Lady of the Assumption Church
9:30am at St. Maria Goretti Church
11:00am at Our Lady of the Assumption Church

OUR PARISH WILL BE OFFERING OUR USUAL VIRTUAL SUNDAY MASS, BUT WILL NOT BE LIVESTREAMING A CHRISTMAS MASS.

Christmas Masses may be viewed live online at:
St. Theresa Parish, North Reading
CatholicTV
St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC YouTube
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC
Vatican Media Youtube

 

The one and only collection taken at our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses benefit the Clergy Trust which cares for the health and well-being of all active and senior priests in good standing. By supporting this collection, you are helping to ensure that our active priests receive the care they need to continue their important work and our senior priests can live in community with access to quality care. This collection is a primary source of funding for the Trust and your generosity is greatly appreciated.  To donate directly online, go to: www.clergytrust.org/christmas-collection-2023

If you would like to make an offertory gift to Ave Maria Parish at the Christmas Masses, please make sure you clearly note that intention on your envelope or check.

 

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Advent

Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four weeks leading up to Christmas.  It is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas.

Online Advent Calendar

Downloadable Advent Booklet

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Santa Visit

December 3, following the 9:30am Mass
St. Maria Goretti Church Hall

 All are invited for a collation in SMG's Church Hall after the 9:30am Mass. And... we're expecting a "special guest"!

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Preparing for Christmas: Three Opportunities to Welcome Advent into Your Busy Schedule

December 8, 7pm, via Zoom
Advent Meditation with Carol Farina
Are you looking for a bit of quiet and peace?  Join us for a guided meditation.


December 12, 7pm, via Zoom
An Advent Family Rosary with Maria Gagnon
Let us accompany Mary on the road to Bethlehem.


December 19, 7pm, via Zoom
Novena to the Christ Child with the Lozada Family
Learn the ancient Columbian Novena to the Christ Child: Novena de Aguinaldos.

 

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Children's Story Hour

December 9, 10am
Our Lady of the Assumption Church Hall

Young children and their parents are invited to a read-aloud story time including a snack and craft.  This month's featured book is The Christmas Blessing by Erin Guendelsberger  For planning, RSVP to Kate McGrath via email or at 781-598-4313 x224 by December 3.
 

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Advent Prayer Service: Sing the Good News!

December 11, 6:30pm
St. Maria Goretti Church

Join us for a special evening of prayer and song featuring our Holy Spirit Ensemble and parish lectors, as we wait with joy and hope for the coming of the Lord!  Coffee and dessert will follow in the SMG Church Hall
 

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Advent Movie Morning: Miracle on 24th Street

December 13, following 9am Mass
Our Lady of the Assumption Church Hall

Let's get into the Christmas spirit by watching the classic 1947 film starring Maureen O'Hara and John Payne.  $10 includes soup, salad, bread, and dessert.  RSVP to Angela at 978-535-0009 by December 6. 

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Christmas Brunch

December 17, following the 11am Mass
Our Lady of the Assumption Church Hall

Let's come together to celebrate this beautiful season!  
 

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Virtual Stations of the Creche Prayer Service

Click here for the accompanying Stations of the Creche Prayer Service Guide.

 

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Music to Lift the Spirit and Rejoice in the Season

Check out our parish's Spotify channel (Ave Maria Lynnfield) or go directly to this website's Spotify page for a variety of playlists for every season and mood.

 

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3D Nativity Craft Kit with Prayers

Here's a little craft activity: 3D Nativity Coloring and Craft Kit.







 

 

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Children's Book about the Nativity

Our parish is blessed to have our very own registered therapy dog in attendance at many of our children's read-aloud sessions, walking group strolls, and other dog-friendly events.  Orla is a 11-year-old Golden Retriever whose human happens to be Kate McGrath, our Pastoral Associate.  Because Orla wants to share her many adventures with others, Kate has written down some of her stories in short, read-aloud books that are great introductions to the richness of our Catholic faith and what they mean to our daily lives.  Make this one an Advent tradition for your family: Adventures with Orla: The Christmas Nativity.

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Archdiocese of Boston's Project Nazareth

Free downloads are available to help families grow their faith and build a domestic church with Christ as the cornerstone:  https://www.evangelizeboston.com/project-nazareth-free-downloads/#advent

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Other Online Advent Calendar Offerings

Loyola Press for Children: https://www.loyolapress.com/.../childrens-advent-calendar/

Loyola Press for Adults: https://www.loyolapress.com/.../advent-calendar-for-adults/

Relevant Radio Advent Inspirations: https://relevantradio.com/advent/

Catholic Relief Services Advent Calendar: https://www.crs.org/advent-calendar

Christmas Season

The liturgical season of Christmas begins with the vigil Masses on Christmas Eve and concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts and reflect on the gift of salvation that is born with him, including the fact that he was born to die for us. (Source: USCCB)