Make everything you do this season be rooted in prayer.
Advent–the Beginning of the Year of Grace, 2026.
Catholic reflections on Advent focus on hope, participation, and anticipation for the coming of Jesus, both the preparation of the Solemnities Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered, and likewise a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. Advent is a period of devout and expected delight. –excerpts taken from the Universal Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, 39.
11/30 Advent Begins
12/2, 4 PM, Advent Reflections: The Saints of Advent -St. John the Baptist and St. Joseph, in the church.
12/9, 4 PM, Advent Reflections: The Saints of Advent – A Special Look at St. Juan Diego and the Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
12/8 Immaculate Conception, A Holy Day of Obligation, Mass at 8 AM (English) & 7 AM (bilingual)
12/12 Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mass at 6 PM, followed by a celebration of Hispanic foods in the hall.
12/16 Penance Service, 4 PM in the church. Several priests will be available to hear your private confessions.
12/21 The Filipino Celebration of Simbang Gabi comes to St. John’s. 6 PM in the church, followed by delicious Filipino foods in the hall.
12/24 Advent Ends, Advent officially ends at the beginning of Christmas Eve evening (Vespers I), with the Christmas season starting that same evening. The entire Advent season lasts four Sundays, plus the weekdays leading up to Christmas Eve (December 24). The final days, from December 17 to December 24, are specifically for preparing for Christmas and include the “O Antiphons”.
Blessing of the Advent Wreath at Home
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Christmas
Christmas centers on the Incarnation, or God becoming human in the person of Jesus. This includes celebrating the joy and salvation Jesus brings, which is an eternal gift of “God-with-us” (Emmanuel) rather than fleeting happiness. Key themes include recognizing that Christ is with us today in a personal way, not just a historical event, and reflecting on his love, peace, and the call to overcome fear.
Christmas is not one day for Catholics. It lasts through the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (January 11, 2026).
12/24 Christmas Eve, Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord Mass at 4:30 PM (children) and Mass at Night 8 PM (bilingual)
12/25 Christmas Day, Nativity of the Lord Mass during the Day, at 8 AM and 10:30 AM.
12/28 The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, regular weekend Mass schedule.
1/1 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, a Holy Day of Obligation, Mass at 8 AM & 7 PM (bilingual)
1/4, The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, regular weekend Mass schedule.
1/11, The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, regular weekend Mass schedule
(Ordinary Time year A returns Monday, January 12, and continues through Tuesday, February 17, the day before Ash Wednesday.)
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