FATHER JIM'S JOTS - St. Elizabeth Catholic Church - First Sunday of Advent - November 30, 2025

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

First Sunday of Advent

November 30, 2025

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings,

Today is the first Sunday of Advent!  I would like to thank Msgr. Walter Barrett for celebrating Masses this weekend.  I am currentloy in Michigan celebrating the Holidays with my family and will return to Richmond later this upcoming week.

Thank you to everyone who helped with our Homecoming Celebration last weekend!  The only way we are able to hold such a special annual event is with the help of many wonderful volunteers.

The word "Advent" is from the Latin adventus for "coming" and is associated with the four weeks of preparation for Christmas.  Advent always contains four Sundays, beginning on the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (November 30) and continuing until December 24.

How do you prepare yourself during Advent?

First, it is a good idea to pray more, possibly including the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.

It is also important to read Sacred Scripture, especially the Infancy Narratives of Matthew and Luke.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church, chapters 2 and 3 of the Second Part of the Creed, expresses the Church's Fath in the Incarnation and Nativity of the Lord.

Finally, to truly prepare, it is important to go to Confession at least once during the season, and maybe go to daily Mass and do Eucharistic Adoration when you are able.

I encourage you to attend the Communal Reconciliation Service this Advent.  We will have three priests from other parishes visit to hear confessions so there will be time for everyone who wants to participate.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim, Pastor

(Information on Advent from ewtn.com)

 ~ Image Source