Advent Events at Holy Cross
Dec. 8: Holy Day of Obligation (Immaculate Conception Mass at 9am and 7pm)
Dec. 10-11: Anointing of the Sick during all weekend Masses
Dec. 14: Advent Reconciliation Service (6:30pm)
Dec. 24: Mass at 5pm and midnight (11:59pm)
Dec. 25: Mass at 8am and 11am
Faith Formation’s
Advent Calendar Resources
Blessing of the Advent Wreath
Use this prayer service from the USCCB.
If you’re looking for DIY Advent wreath ideas, check out this post from Catholic Icing.
Dec. 6: St. Nick’s Prayer
St. Nick Videos
Dec. 9: St. Juan Diego video
Anna’s Advent Playlist
Dec. 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe
Dec. 15 - Christmas Tree Blessing
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Leader: Let us glorify Christ our light, who brings salvation and peace into our midst, now and forever.
All: Amen.
Leader: My brothers and sisters, amidst signs and wonders Christ Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea: his birth brings joy to our hearts and enlightenment to our minds. With this tree, decorated and adorned, may we welcome Christ among us; may its lights guide us to the perfect light.
All: Amen.
Reader: A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel,
Thus says the Lord GOD:
I, too, will pluck from the crest of the cedar
the highest branch.
From the top a tender shoot
I will break off and transplant
on a high, lofty mountain.
On the mountain height of Israel
I will plant it.
It shall put forth branches and bear fruit,
and become a majestic cedar.
Every small bird will nest under it,
all kinds of winged birds will dwell
in the shade of its branches.
Every tree of the field will know
that I am the LORD.
I bring low the high tree,
lift high the lowly tree,
Wither up the green tree,
and make the dry tree bloom.
As I, the LORD, have spoken, so will I do!
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Leader: Let us ask God to send his blessing upon us and upon this sign of our faith in the Lord. Your response is, “Lord, give light to our hearts.”
All: Lord, give light to our hearts.
Leader: That this tree of lights may remind us of the tree of glory on which Christ accomplished our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, give light to our hearts.
Leader: That the joy of Christmas may always be in our homes, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, give light to our hearts.
Leader: That the peace of Christ may dwell in our hearts and in the world, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, give light to our hearts.
Leader: Let us pray the words Jesus taught us.
All: Our Father, who art in heaven…
(Everyone joins hands.)
Leader:
Lord our God,
we praise you for the light of creation:
the sun, the moon, and the stars of the night.
We praise you for the light of Israel:
the Law, the prophets, and the wisdom of the Scriptures.
We praise you for Jesus Christ, your Son:
he is Emmanuel, God-with-us, the Prince of Peace,
who fills us with the wonder of your love.
Lord God,
let your blessing come upon us
as we illumine this tree.
May the light and cheer it gives
be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts.
May all who delight in this tree
come to the knowledge and joy of salvation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Leader: May the God of glory fill our hearts with peace and joy, now and forever.
All: Amen.
The blessing concludes with a verse from “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”:
O come, thou dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night
and death’s dark shadow put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.