Sowing Seeds
First Sunday of Advent
December 3, 2017
Happy New Year!

The Lectionary - where the Sunday readings come from - is broken up into 3 cycles - A, B, C.  With the transition of the liturgical year, we also change Lectionary cycles.  This year in cycle B we will primarily hear from the Gospel of Mark, with supplemental readings from the Gospel of John.  

Advent is a time of preparation - and I'm not just talking about your Christmas decorating and shopping!  Advent partially focuses on Christ's coming in his birth (2000+ years ago) and his Second Coming (TBA).  As we reflect on the mysteries of the incarnation and the second coming, I offer a reflection written by our brother in Christ, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop, which discusses the differences between Christ's two comings. read more...

This reading is the Second Reading from the Office of Readings for the First Sunday of Advent.

Sunday Scriptures
Click here   to read this Sunday's readings.  
First Reading - Isaiah 63:16b-17,19b; 64:2-7
Waiting, Hope
Responsorial Psalm -  Psalm 80:2-3 / 15-16 / 18-19
Fear of the Lord, Joy
Second Reading - I Corinthians 1:3-9
Waiting, Trust, Promise
Gospel - Mark 13:33-37
Second Coming
Singing Our Faith
As we change liturgical seasons, many musical parts of the Mass change. The familiar Advent Entrance Rite we will sing holds much textual and musical significance.  read more...

Universal Prayer
We pray for the intentions of the Holy Father - for our military - for the poor - and for the season of Advent to renew our lives as Christians  read more...

During Advent and Lent, the cantor chants the intercessions and the people respond with a simple "Lord, hear our prayer."  This  contributes  to the meditative and solemn nature of these holy seasons. Not only that, this practice is in accord with Mother Church's challenge for the Sunday liturgy to be completely sung!

St. Clare of Assisi | (618) 632-3562 | www.stclarechurch.org

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