Advent/Christmas 2024-2025
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Christmas Mass Schedule 2024
Christmas Eve: Tuesday, December 24
4:00pm at St. Maria Goretti Church
4:00pm at Our Lady of the Assumption ChurchChristmas Day: Wednesday, 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 ChurchOUR PARISH 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/
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.
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.
Downloadable Advent Booklet
Online Advent CalendarAdvent Prayer Service: Prepare the Way
December 2, 6:30pm
St. Maria Goretti ChurchJoin 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.
Advent Movie Morning: The Man Who Invented Christmas
December 4, following 9am Mass
Our Lady of the Assumption Church Hall
Please join us as we watch this comedy-drama about Charles Dickens and what led to his creation of the timeless tale of "A Christmas Carol." $10 includes soup, salad, bread, and dessert. RSVP to Angela at 978-535-0009 by November 27.Santa Visit
December 8, following the 9:30am Mass
St. Maria Goretti Church Hall
All are invited for join us in the SMG Church Hall after the 9:30am Mass for hot chocolate, breakfast... and a visit from a "special guest"! Ho! Ho! Ho!Christmas Brunch
December 8, following the 11am Mass
Our Lady of the Assumption Church HallLet's come together to celebrate this beautiful season!
Advent Meditation
December 11, 7pm
via Zoom
Does the holiday rush have you feeling stressed and tired? Give yourself the gift of peace by joining Carol Farina for an Advent Meditation from the comfort of your home. To register, contact Kate McGrath via email or at 781-598-4313 x224.
Virtual Stations of the Creche Prayer Service
Click here for the accompanying Stations of the Creche Prayer Service Guide.
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.
3D Nativity Craft Kit with Prayers
Here's a little craft activity: 3D Nativity Coloring and Craft Kit.
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.
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
Other Online Advent Calendar OfferingsLoyola 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
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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)