THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT – December 14, 2025 – Gaudete Sunday

Please, check out the Hungarian section (link at the bottom) as well, as some Hungarian related news or information may be found only there.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Lord, come and save us.

TODAY’S MASS INTENTIONS:

9:00 AM Parishioners of St. Emeric Parish

11:00 AM Szabadhegyi & Falk Families, by the Families

MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS FOR THE COMING WEEK:

FROM THE DESK OF FR. BONA: (1) Today we light the third candle which is of rose color and it symbolizes joy. The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday, because the first word of the entrance antiphon is Gaudete (rejoice). The third Sunday of Advent is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent.

(2) Today, the music for our 11AM Sunday’s Mass is provided by our Youth choir. After Mass all are invited to our hall for an “Advent Agapé” meal.

(3) Please note a special Mass on December 27 (Saturday) at the Shrine of St. Elizabeth of Hungary after which we will have a light reception. That day we will not have 5PM Mass at St. Emeric.

CONFESSIONS: to prepare ourselves well for Christmas, I will hear confessions on Tuesday, December 23. First opportunity will be after the 9AM morning Mass and then in the evening from 6-7PM.

ADVENT vs. LENT: The liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent share the same color: violet (purple). The purple color denotes that we are in a penitential season. However, there is a slight difference between Advent and Lent and it is indicated by the utilization of the Gloria and Alleluia. During Lent we omit both the Gloria and Alleluia, but in Advent we only skip Gloria. So, why does the season of Advent retain the Alleluia? The omission of Gloria during the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent, and even the Alleluia during Lent, is meant to remind us of the somber tone of these seasons and how we are called to participate in prayer, fasting and almsgiving. However, in Advent this sorrow is accompanied by joy as well. The reason for the joy is the fact that the Emmanuel is already here. Advent remembers the first coming of the Messiah and rejoices in the fulfilled promise of God. The Church also recalls the certainty of his Second Coming and finds comfort knowing that Christ’s reign is established. This gives the penitential character of the season a slightly different feel. In sum, Lent is much more a season of penance and sorrow as it dwells upon Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Advent, on the other hand, looks forward with joyful hearts at the coming of our Savior, who has already come, and is with us now.

THE BLESSING OF THE BAMBINELLI was first instituted by St. John Paul II. On an Advent Sunday the children of Rome are encouraged to bring the baby Jesus (Bambinelli) from each of their Nativity sets to St. Peter’s Square. Following the Sunday Angelus address, the Pope blesses the figurines. This custom has spread throughout the world. We will celebrate this blessing next week, on the final Sunday of Advent (December 21) after the Mass. All (not only children) are encouraged to bring baby Jesus from their home Nativity sets to the church for this special blessing.

DECORATING CHURCH: after the Sunday Mass next week (12/21) if some of you are able to help carry Christmas decorations into the church, that would be greatly appreciated.

MASS SCHEDULE FOR CHRISTMAS – NEW YEAR

December 24:   5:00 PM Mass – English

December 24:  10:30 PM Christmas Carrols – Hungarian

December 24:   11:00 PM Mass – Hungarian

December 25:   9:00 AM Mass – English

December 25:   11:00 AM Mass – Hungarian

December 27:   4:00 PM Bilingual Mass at the Shrine of St. Elizabeth of Hungary

December 31:    5:00 PM – English

January 1:          9:00 AM – English

January 1:          11:00 AM – Hungarian

LAST WEEKEND’S COLLECTION: Sunday Collection: $1,440; Immaculate Conception: $167; Maintenance: $670; Boiler cost offset: $9,340 (of which $1,000 was given in loving memory of Imre Karetka); Renovation: $50; Christmas Flowers: $40. May God reward your generosity in supporting the church. Thank you for sending in your donations by mail or using our website https://stemeric.com/donations/.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK, especially for Bev Kimar, Teréz Kalász, Lajos Boday, Márta Takács, Kathy Szabó, Alex Szaday, Virginia Kachmar, Margaret Falk, Mária Hokky, Balázs Bedy, and Sylvia Öszényi.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE DECEASED: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen

THIS SUNDAY the 11:00 AM Mass from St. Emeric church will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/saintemeric/

LET US PRAY THREE HAIL MARYS FOR OUR PARISH EVERY DAY!

Ez a bejegyzés olvasható Magyar (Hungarian) nyelven is.