Gaudete Sunday

Yesterday was Gaudete Sunday, and it is a special day. You will notice some changes in the church building. For one thing, the pink candle is lit. Also, banners and the altar cloth, as well as the priests' vestments are pink (the liturgical term for this pink color is rose). And there's this special word - Gaudete. What does it all mean?

To start off, Gaudete is Latin for "rejoice". Advent is typically a time of hope and preparation, but it is nice to have a celebration of joy in between all the hoping and waiting. 

Gaudete Sunday is not just for Sunday. It is for the whole week - Sunday through Saturday. 

Your challenge for this week is to exercise the virtue of joy. Smile at as many people as you can. Be joyful! Also, continue practicing the virtues of hope and patience, because although it is a special week, it is still Advent, so we should still be practicing these virtues. 

God Bless!

Advent 2019

Happy New Year!

Wait, what? New Years isn't for another month! If that's what you're thinking, then you are wrong. As Catholics, we celebrate a different new year - the liturgical New Year! Today is the first Sunday of Advent, and we celebrate our New Year. And it's not a cause for solemness and quietness, it is a time of celebration! You can even take some of the New Year traditions in your family and apply them to this New Year!

• Take out the Advent Wreath! Remember, the wreath with the four colored candles? You should bless them for this season and then light the first candle!
• Write New Year's Resolutions: Just like the upcoming New Year, you can write resolutions. Write down all the sins you can remember and resolve to try not to commit them again. You can also go to the sacrament of Penance!
• Pray the rosary: Start off your Advent Season well by praying this prayer. It doesn't take as long as you might think, and Our Lady promises special graces to those who pray it.

Feel free to come up with your own ideas as well. I pray that you find a way to celebrate your New Year the best you can. God bless!