Dear Parish Family,
December 3rd is the First Sunday of Advent. Our parish theme this year is “Transformed in Christ.” As you know the word “Advent” means “arrival.” It is a time of joyous remembrance (celebrating Jesus’ birthday) and eager anticipation (waiting for Jesus’ second coming). To assist us in our spiritual Advent journey, we have prepared resources online, hardcopies in the two front foyers of the church, and reflection emails that will be sent to each family. Here are some other suggestions:
1. Have an Advent wreath for your home.
2. Place a manger in your living room (without baby Jesus).
3. Place lights on your house.
4. Purple cloth on home altar w/ an Advent candle.
5. Shop as family for a “Angel Tree” gift.
6. Go to Mass every day at 8 am.
7. Pray the Rosary as a family for peace.
8. Advent Spiritual Resources; www.olphcctx.org.
9. Advent Resource in foyers of the church.
10. “Las Mañanitas” 12/12/23 for “Guadalupe Celebration”.
11. Attend a traditional “Posada.”
12. Attend “Jesus and The Eucharist” Sessions.
13. “Best Advent Ever”, with Mathew Kelly. Go to dynamiccatholic.com, go to search and type in “best advent ever.” You will see “Sign Me Up” and place your email address and they will send you an Advent Reflection, by email, during the days of Advent. This is free of charge.
14. New this year on our Church (olphcctx.org) and School (olphacademycc.org) websites. Click on “Advent Spiritual Resources.” There is a Formed.org Advent Calendar with special movies, reflections, children’s activities and more for each day of Advent. There is also an instruction sheet on how to sign up for Formed.org which is free for our Church and Academy.
15. “myParishApp”: 1. Download the App by going to Apple or Google Play Stores & search “myParishApp”. Open App and add 78412 for parish zip code & continue to follow instructions. 2. The second way to download the App is to go to our website OLPHCCTX.org & click on “myParishApp icon on your phone or tablet. The are two new Advent resources for on-the-go parishioners.
16. “Hallow”, Go iPhone/Android App store. Search: Hallow: Catholic for no cost. Search: Advent.
During this Advent Season I am sure there is plenty of shopping, parties, and school events that we need to attend; however, let us also prepare our souls and make wonderful family memories. Take some time for yourself and family to experience Advent in a new and exciting way this 2023 Advent year.
Inserted in this weekend’s bulletin is also an Our Lady of Perpetual Help “Liturgical, Spiritual, Activities,” page of dates and times for our 2023 Advent journey. Let us not take this time of Advent for granted and prepare ourselves to have the Best Christmas Ever.
May God bless you with a holy Advent filled with are heart of gratitude and anticipation for our Lord Jesus.
In Jesus’ Love,
Fr. Frank X. Martínez, STL
In order to access the video episodes for The Search you log into your FORMED.org account. To log in click this link:
ttps://watch.formed.org/login
If you do not have an account, you may create a free account. All that is needed is an email address. To create your free FORMED.org account follow the instructions below.
Click on any of the colored titles to go directly to the video episodes on the FORMED.ORG website
Click the image below to sign up for the Best Advent Ever
Advent is the Catholic liturgical season of preparation leading up to Christmas Day. The word advent is derived from the Latin word adventus, which means coming. During Advent, we anticipate the coming of Jesus as a baby. It's a penitential time full of reflection, excitement, and hope as we prepare to celebrate his birth.
Advent officially begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on December 24. It marks the beginning of the Catholic Church's liturgical calendar year. This year Advent begins on Sunday, December 3, 2023. Christmas Eve is the Fourth Sunday of Advent, with Christmas falling on a Monday. Four weeks isn't long, but that still leaves plenty of time to spend some quiet time preparing for Jesus' coming.
Click on any of the images below to get additional resources and information.
Download Our New Parish App!
Our new and improved OLPH app is now available to download for iPhone and Android smart phones. Stay connected with our parish throughout the week with instant notifications, and an easy-to-access event calendar. Also enjoy a bunch of additional features like prayers, daily readings, helpful reminders to silence your phone before Mass or Confession, and much more. Help foster a stronger parish life at OLPH and better engage the New Evangelization.
Download our app today at myparishapp.com or scan the QR Code with your smartphone or tablet.
