As we enter this beautiful season of Advent, join us for many opportunities to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.
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Advent Program:
Embracing Life Transitions the Advent Way
Join us in the
Ministry Center
Tuesday, December 5
9:30 - 11:30 am
or
Wednesday, December 6
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Advent is an invitation for each of us to journey with Mary in fruitful and creative waiting. Anytime we transition into a new season of life, we are called by God and asked to respond, ultimately resting in Christ. Gather with a supportive community for this nurturing reflection to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child. Be transformed in the waiting! All are welcome. Presented by Spiritual Director Cara D'Rozario.
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The Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Holy Day Masses
Thursday, December 7
7:00 pm (Vigil)
Friday, December 8
7:00 am, 9:00 am, Noon and 7:00 pm
Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to you.
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Our Lady of Guadalupe Masses
Monday, December 11
Masses (in Spanish)
at 6:30 pm and 9:00 pm
With a re-enactment, dances and refreshments
Wednesday, December 13
St. Gabriel School Mass
at 8:45 am
All are welcome!
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Advent Penance Service:
Experience the Grace of Forgiveness
Wednesday, December 20
7:00 pm
Confessions in English and Spanish
Has it been awhile since you received this beautiful sacrament?
Our priests are here to welcome and guide you.
Reconciliation is also available at St. Gabriel:
In Confession, Jesus welcomes us with all our sinfulness,
to give us a new heart, capable of loving as he loves.
Pope Francis
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Moving From Grief to Hope
Special Program for All Who are Grieving
Thursday, November 30
6:30 pm
Ministry Center
No RSVP needed
Are you grieving the loss of a loved one? Anticipation of the holidays can make grief especially hard.
Join us as Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region grief director Larry Dawalt shares thoughts about the grief process and moving toward hope, as well as suggestions for getting through the holidays.
Find details here.
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More Than Sad: Depression and Anxiety in Teens
Program for Parents
Wednesday, December 6
6:30 to 8:30 pm
Ministry Center
Parents, please join us as Kathryn Falbo-Woodson, MSW, LCSWA of Carolinas Healthcare System and Dr. Amanda McGough of Southeast Psych help us learn to recognize and respond to anxiety, stress, and depression in teenagers, initiate a conversation about mental health, and get the necessary help.
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Advent on the Polar Express
A Wonderful Family Event!
Friday, December 8
6:00 pm
Parish Center Hall
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Open this gift from our parish:
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Grow in faith this Advent through FORMED!
Create your free account now.
FORMED provides unlimited access to the best Catholic:
- Audio talks
- Movies
- E-books
- Video-based studies
- For adults and children
- Content in English and Spanish
- App for smartphones and tablets
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Join us in these Works of Mercy:
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Our St. Vincent de Paul Outreach:
Three Wonderful Ways to Participate
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Participate in our second collection December 2-3.
Your generosity enables our parish to provide emergency financial help throughout the year to families facing a crisis.
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Provide baked goods
for our St. Vincent de Paul Christmas food baskets.
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Help assemble 450+ Christmas food baskets
on Saturday, December 16, from 8:00 - 10:00 am in the school cafeteria for needy families in our area. Everyone is invited! No RSVP needed.
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Our Giving Tree: Sharing Joy at Christmas
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Our Giving Tree is in the church narthex, decorated with hundreds of tags! Ways to participate:
- Take a tag and return unwrapped gifts by Sunday, December 10 to the tree, with tag securely fastened. Place gift cards and Freedom School sponsorships, with tags attached, in labeled box under the tree.
- Help sort the gifts: Monday, December 11 Join us for a great family event, as we organize the gifts for the recipients on Monday, December 11, at 6:00 pm in the St. Gabriel school cafeteria. RSVP here.
Our Giving Tree benefits hundreds of people through Catholic Charities, Freedom School, Florence Crittenton Services, Grupo Esperanza de Vida, HŌM (Homemakers of Mercy), Men’s Shelter of Charlotte, Mira Via, Missionaries the Poor, Room In the Inn, and the Salvation Army. Thank you for your generosity!
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Looking for other opportunities to serve and give? Consider these:
- Donate gently used clothing to our annual Confirmation class clothing drive. Drop items off at the Ministry Center this Friday, December 1, from 12:00 – 7:00 pm and on Saturday, December 2, from 8:00 – 11:00 am. No early drop offs.
- Help serve dinner to at-risk pregnant women at Florence Crittenton on Friday, December 8. Find details here.
- Help stock our Catholic Charities food pantry by bringing non-perishables to weekend Masses for Share Sunday, our monthly food drive, December 16-17.
- Help prepare and serve dinner at the Men’s Homeless Shelter on Friday, December 29. Find details here.
- Participate in our Room In the Inn Ministry, as we host 20 homeless guests each Thursday night through March. Help set up beds, etc. or serve as an overnight host. Many dates to choose from. Find details here.
- Serve coffee and donuts after a Sunday morning Mass. Many dates to choose from! Find details here.
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Exciting new ways to give!
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We're excited to provide these new, secure ways to simplify giving:
New! Text to Give!
Include your cell phone in your
Online Giving account details, and you're ready to go! Use any $ amount preferred. $25 is shown below as an example.
Text us at 704-326-7517 with these codes and format:
- Text "$25 OFF1" for regular offertory.
- Text "$25 SVDP12" for our St. Vincent de Paul outreach fund.
- Text "$25 CHR25" for our Christmas collection.
- Text "$25 FF2" for our parish Facilities Fund.
All good giving and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights. James 1:17
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Parish Life: Connect with us!
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Send us Your Nativity Set Selfie for the Bulletin
by December 10
Many of us celebrate the nativity of our Lord with a nativity set/crèche in our homes. Share a photo of yourself/your family by your nativity set, and we’ll include it in a December bulletin! Send photos no later than Sunday, December 10, to
bulletin@stgabrielchurch.org
.
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Wednesday Night Dinners are Back
Join Us December 13
Fresh Chef Restaurant
is catering this month: roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, veggies and more are on the menu!
Wednesday, December 13
5:30 to 6:30 pm
Parish Center Hall (school cafeteria)
Must prepay by noon, December 11
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Join Our Wednesday Night Dinner Team
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Young Families in Faith
New group for couples with young children
Program and dinner. Thursday, November 30
, 6:00 pm, Ministry Center.
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Men's Club
Monthly Meeting: Friday, December 1, at 7:30 pm in the Ministry Center. Dinner and business meeting.
32nd Annual Christmas Tree Sale: Through mid-December. Lower church lot.
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Christian Mothers' Group
Monthly Rosary: Monday, December 4, 8:30 am in the Ministry Center
Advent on the Polar Express: Friday, December 8, at 6:00 pm
CMG Advent Twilight Retreat: Thursday, December 14, at 7:00 pm
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O.W.L.S. (60+)
Monthly Luncheon Meeting:
Wednesday
December 13, at 10:30 am.
Details here
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Forever Young (75+)
Monthly Luncheon:
Friday, December 15, at noon.
Details here
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Empty Nesters: New Group!
Are your children grown and flown? Join our new group for parents in their 40s and 50s whose children are moving on and giving us the chance to do the same.
Christmas Social: Friday, December 1, at 6:30 pm.
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Youth Group (Grades 4-8)
Cell Phone Scavenger Hunt: Thursday, November 30, 5:30 pm, Parish Center/school.
Stocking Making:
Tuesday, December 12, from 5:30-7:00 pm in the school media center.
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High School (Grades 9-12)
High School Venture Crew:
- Ice Skating: Sunday, December 10, afternoon.
- Day Hike: Sunday, December 17, leaving at 7:30 am.
Teen Volunteer Opportunities: Stay up to date on teen service opportunities.
Details here
Upcoming Teen Masses:
- Sunday, January 28, at 5 pm
- Sunday, February 25, at 5 pm
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Keep Us Updated!
Has your address or contact information changed since you registered? If so, please send our Membership Coordinator,
Cheryl Pelletier, your new information. Thank you!
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