Advent and Christmas

SEASON OF ADVENT (from the ORDO)
Advent has a twofold nature: It prepares us for Christmas, when we recall Christ's first coming among us, and it is also a time when we look forward to his second coming at the end of the ages. Advent is a season of joyful expectation.

During Advent, each Sunday's Gospel reading has a specific focus. The Old Testament readings, especially those taken from Isaiah, are prophecies about the Messiah and messianic times. The selections from the writings of the Apostles present exhortations and instructions on different themes of this season.

Advent Preachers/Homilists

The following activities and/or parish events are scheduled in the parish this Advent:

First Sunday of Advent

• November 29 at 5:10 PM, Evening Prayer I
• November 29 at 5:30 PM Mass, Blessing of Advent wreath and lighting of the first candle.
• November 30, 8:35 AM Morning Prayer
• Lighting of the first candle of Advent wreath at 9:00 AM Mass and 11:00 AM Mass.

Second Sunday/Week of Advent

• December 5 at 9:00 AM Mass with Sacred Heart School
• December 6 at 5:10 PM, Evening Prayer I
• December 7, 8:35 AM Morning Prayer
• Lighting of the second candle of Advent wreath at 5:30 PM Vigil Mass, 9:00 AM Mass and 11:00 AM Mass.
• December 11 at 6:00 PM Sacred Heart School Christmas Concert

Third Sunday/Week of Advent

• December 13 at 5:10 PM, Evening Prayer I
• December 14, 8:35 AM Morning Prayer
• Lighting of the third candle of Advent wreath at 5:30 PM Vigil Mass, 9:00 AM Mass and 11:00 AM Mass.
• Pancake breakfast hosted by the Knights of Columbus after the 9:00 AM Mass and 11:00 AM Mass.
• December 15 at 6:30 PM start of Simbang Gabi 2025 (Filipino Night Mass; nine evenings of Masses before Christmas said in Filipino.)
• December 17 at 9:00 AM Sacred Heart School Advent Reconciliation Service 

Fourth Sunday/Week of Advent

• December 20 at 5:10 PM, Evening Prayer I
• December 21, 8:35 AM Morning Prayer
• Lighting of the fourth candle of Advent wreath at 5:30 PM Vigil Mass, 9:00 AM Mass and 11:00 AM Mass.
• Simbang Gabi 2025, 6:30 PM (Filipino Night Mass; nine evenings of Masses before Christmas said in Filipino.

On Monday, December 8, the Church will celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To provide parishioners with extra opportunity to attend Mass that day, two Masses will be offered at the cathedral - 12:10 PM and 5:30 PM. 

 

The Catholic Filipino-Canadian community in Prince George, invites you to participate in this annual pre-Christmas novena – Simbang Gabi (Filipino night Mass)
 
Simbang Gabi (Filipino night Mass) will be celebrated from December 15-23 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Mass will be prayed in Filipino language, and it starts at 6:30 PM. On the seventh day of Simbang Gabi, (the 4^th Sunday of Advent), Bishop Stephen Jensen will be the Main Celebrant, and the Mass will be prayed in English.
 
Confession is available half hour before Mass. Refreshments are provided in the lower church hall after the celebration of each Simbang Gabi.
 
Simbang Gabi is the nine consecutive evening of novena Masses leading toward the Solemnity of Christmas. This is both to honor our Blessed Virgin Mary and her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
You are welcome to come and join! Let us prepare together in prayer and reflection for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Emmanuel, God-with-us.