December 18-19, 2021
Fourth Sunday of Advent
|
|
The 7am Mass this Wednesday, December 22nd, will be a Rorate Caeli Mass. This is a traditional Advent devotion wherein the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary for Advent is offered just before dawn.
The Mass takes its title, Rorate Caeli, from the first words of the Introit, which are from Isaiah 45:8:
“Rorate, caeli, desuper, et nubes pluant justum, aperiatur terra, et germinet Salvatorem.”
“Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just: let the earth be opened and bud forth a Saviour.”
The Rorate Mass is lit only by candlelight. Because it is a votive Mass in Mary’s honor, white vestments are worn instead of Advent violet. In the dimly lit setting, priests and faithful prepare to honor the Light of the world, who is soon to be born, and offer praise to God for the gift of Our Lady.
|
|
We look forward to celebrating with you!
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Celebrates the birth of Jesus, Christ and Lord, who is Savior of the world. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be offered on
Friday, December 24, 2021
4:30pm (Live-streamed) | 7:30pm | 12Midnight
-AND-
Saturday, December 25, 2021
10:00am
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Mass
Honors the Blessed Virgin Mary, who brought the Son of God into the world. Mass will be offered on Friday, December 31, 2021 at 5:00pm.
Epiphany of the Lord
Celebrates that Jesus is revealed to the magi by the light of a star as the light of salvation for all the nations of the world. Epiphany will be celebrated at all Masses the weekend of January 1-2, 2022.
Baptism of the Lord
Closes the season of Christmas and celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. This Feast Day will be celebrated at all Masses the weekend of January 8-9, 2022.
*The weekends of December 25-26 and January 1-2 will also include the regular Mass schedule.
|
|
Caroling to Homebound Parishioners this Sunday |
|
Please join us this Sunday as we conclude our Sunday evening Advent activities. We'll begin with dinner in the parish atrium at 5:30pm, followed by caroling to homebound parishioners. This is a great family activity and we'd love to see you!
|
|
Can You Help Decorate the Church for Christmas? |
|
We will be decorating the church for Christmas services next Thursday, December 23rd at 6pm and would love to have your help! All are welcome to join us and make our Lord's house beautiful as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
|
|
Liturgical Ministry Training: Saturday, January 8 |
|
We'll have a Liturgical Minister Training Seminar on Saturday, January 8, 2022 from 10am - 12noon; if you are currently serving in a liturgical ministry or would like to join one of these ministries and begin serving, please let us know you will attend by clicking here.
Sacristans
Sacristans help get things ready for Mass - things like unlocking doors, lighting candles, arranging books - basically a little organizing before Mass begins.
Lectors
Lectors are the assigned "readers" of the Scripture during Mass (with the exception of the Gospel).
Communion Ministers
Communion Ministers assist in administering the sacrament of Holy Communion, the consecrated bread and wine. They may also take the sacraments to those who are ill or otherwise unable to attend Mass.
Ushers
Ushers are responsible for things like seating Mass attendees, taking up collections, bringing forth the gifts at the Offertory, and handing out bulletins after Mass.
Greeters
Greeters welcome everyone to our church and may pass out the weekly liturgy sheets.
We will begin in the atrium with a continental breakfast and opening remarks, followed by breakout sessions for each ministry. Training will wrap up by noon. Again, please let us know if you're able to attend by clicking here.
|
|
Thank You for Making it a Very "Sanctuary Christmas" |
|
The Sanctuary Ministry collected enough donations during "A Sanctuary Christmas" to prepare 100 gift bags for homeless women served by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. These bags included a hat, gloves and scarf, a beauty pack, chocolates and a gift card that will allow the women to purchase a Christmas gift of their own choosing, perhaps for a child or parent or friend. The Sanctuary Ministry thanks you for your generosity! |
|
courtesy of Cory Busse, TeachingCatholicKids.com
Every year around this time, we’re bound to hear a familiar set of narratives in the media. How much we’ll spend. How far we’ll travel. How far behind retail sales are compared to last year. It’s time to put aside the tired stories. Here are three replacement conversations we should be having this Christmas.
Instead of talking about how much to spend...talk about how much to give.
“So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth” (Jb 5:16, RSV). According to a national survey by the Center for a New American Dream, 70 percent of us would opt for less focus on gift giving and spending at Christmas. Let’s face it: Some of us have too much stuff as it is. And many of us could afford to swap some of our wants for someone else’s needs. So instead of having the tiresome conversation about how much to spend on white-elephant gifts for the office party, let’s talk instead about how much of a difference $5 or $10 could make to someone who really needs it.
Instead of talking about whose family’s “turn” it is to have Christmas...talk about how to spend time with those who need us most.
“Turn to me, and be gracious for me; for I am lonely and afflicted” (Ps 25:16, RSV). We place great emphasis on Rockwellian “home and hearth and family” at Christmas. In all the bustle, we often forget that some of our friends and family members are alone at Christmas. Instead of renegotiating where we’re spending Christmas Eve and with whom are we going to Mass, focus on who might be lonely this Christmas. Who has lost someone this year, or last year, or even years ago? Who are recent empty nesters? Who simply doesn’t have anywhere to go or anyone to be with? The gifts of time and your presence are far more worthy discussions than keeping score of who “had Christmas” last year.
Instead of talking about the people you’re dreading seeing at Christmas...talk about the people who most need your love.
“I said, ‘I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; / I will keep a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence’” (Ps 39:1, RSV). When asked (usually jokingly) which of her five kids my mom loved most, she’d always give the same answer: “The one who is away until they’re home. The one who is sick until they’re well. The one who is hurting until they are whole.” The time we waste at the holidays complaining about the people in our lives we’d rather not see often takes our attention away from those right in front of us who need us most. Instead of rehashing the grudges of Christmases past, talk instead about forgiveness and reconciliation. Instead of complaining about those who rub us the wrong way, seek out those who bring out the Christmas spirit in us. Generosity of spirit is infectious; and it starts with the words we use.
|
|
If you're not receiving our email, check your spam or junk folder. If you see our messages there, you need to safelist our email address. Safelisting (formerly referred to as "whitelisting") an email address ensures that emails sent from that specific address reach the Inbox, instead of being marked as spam.
Cox.net Email
- Go to WebMail Inbox window.
- Click "Preferences."
- Under General Email Preferences, click "Blocked Senders."
- Type in the sender ([email protected]) or domain (anything ending in "@ckokc.org") in the Exceptions List.
- Click "Add."
- Click "Save."
Gmail
- Open an email from "[email protected]" and place your cursor over the profile icon.
- Click "More info."
- In the panel that expands, click the "Add to contacts" icon.
|
|
Christ the King Catholic Church
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
