Our Season of Advent begins the weekend of November 27th & 28th 2021. These days will pass by quickly so all of us need ot use them wisely. Advent is the time that is calling all of us to prepare for the coming of Jesus in our world as a tiny infant. We recall the cry of early Christians: “Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus”.
We invite all of you to come to St. Amelia’s to share in the celebration of this season of Advent totally. How? Take some time in private, quite prayer daily. Use the parish Advent Daily Prayer Booklet. Attend Mass regularly, even during weekdays. Participate in our Giving Tree project and attend our annual Chirstmas Tree Lighting event. Also plan to receive the Sacrament of reconciliation at the Advent Parish Pennance Service.
You should have received a winter editon of the St. Amelia Newsletter: The Ameliator in the mail containing all of the important dates and information for our various holiday celebrations ebing held at our parish. We hope you will come to celebrate, worship and pray with us durring the Advent and Christmas season. Information on all Advent celebrations are outlined below so come and join us! All are welcome here at St. Amelia Church.
PARISH ADVENT BOOKLETS
Our Advent Booklets will be distributed the week of November 20th & 21st, 2021. This booklet is entitled: The Fullness of Time – Inspirations from Henri J. M. Nouwen which can be found at the doors of the church. Please enjoy an Advent Journey as we prepare for the glory of Christmas.
PARISH CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
Come Join us for our annual tree lighting event as we kick off the Advent and Christmas season.
Bring family and friends to join us on Saturday November 27th for the 4:30pm Mass with our Outdoor Tree lighting to follow.
There will be prayer, worship and caroling followed by hot chocolate and refreshments in the narthex.
FORMED.ORG
We have a wonderful resource in https://formed.org where you can access thousands of movies, programs, audio, and books from any device right at your finger tips FREE! We invite you to take part in their speecial Advent and Christmas items during the holida season.
FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
Come and join us on Friday December 10th at 7pm for a festival of Lessons and Carols; a spirital evening led by our Music director Steven Gruhalla.
There will be music, scripture and reflections to help us prepare for the coming of Jesus during this blessed Advent Season.
We hope to see you all there!
PARISH GIVING TREE
Help make the holidays a little more magical this year for those in need! Our wonderful Outreach program began our Giving Trees on November 13th & 14th and has set up the beautiful Giving Trees in the church.
We will once again be helping children in struggling veterans’ families for the holidays. Tags for those children will have a flag sticker on them. Please select a tag off of the tree, purchase the item and return it to the church by Sunday, Dec 12th, wrapped with the tag on and place it under the tree.
If you know anyone who is struggling financially, lives in the Town of Tonawanda with zip codes 14150 or 14223 and would benefit from help with Christmas presents, invite them to call Outreach at 716-832-4542.
We remind everyone who participates in this project that all wrapped gifts need to be brought to the church by Sunday, December 12th. We thank everyone for their kindness and for making Christmas possible for those in need this holiday season.
PARISH ADVENT PENNANCE SERVICE
Our service will be held on Wednesday December 15th at 7pm in the Church. Our organist: Steven Gruhulla will lead us all in music and song as we prepare for the glory of Christmas. Give yourself this early Christmas gift and come join us!