Welcome to the
Parish family of
St. Margaret of Cortona
1st Sunday of Advent, November 29
To share this Mass with others, send this link: https://youtu.be/8BnVMob6vKA
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Advent Giving Tree (that isn't)
Because of the pandemic our usual Advent Giving Tree with tags will not be happening in our Church. We are planning, however, to make sure the poor children in our area are provided for this Christmas. In place of the traditional giving tree we will provide 2 ways for you to participate in giving:
1. Those with computer confidence can go to a vendor of their choice. e.g., Walmart, Target, Amazon and buy an e-gift card and send to Cheryl Vorisek at rcvorisek@verizon.net.
2. Those who are computer shy can take an envelope from Church, place in it your donation or gift card and return it to the collection basket or bring to the Parish Center.
We will begin on November 8 and conclude on December 14. Thank you so much for all you have done in the past for God's poor and which you will continue when you can.
God bless you and your loved ones with good health and deep peace!
Religious Education for the year 2020
Update: All Religious Ed classes will be on home study. Parents must still register and meetings will be held monthly. We will send letters to parents.
Registration and re-registration for Religious Education is now open. Fees are as follows:
$110 for 1 child, $140 for 2 children and $160 for 3 children
Please download and fill up attached forms and return to the Parish Office:
Click here to download the Registration form
Click here to download the Re-Registration form
Grades will meet at the following times:
Grades 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 - 3:30 - 4:30PM
Grades 6,7 and 8 - 6:30 - 8PM
All grades will meet monthly on the following dates in Church at the times listed above:
DATE GRADES
October 6 1 and 2; 7 and 8
October 13 3 and 6
October 20 4 and 5
November 3 1 and 2 ; 7 and 8
November 10 3 and 6
November 17 4 and 5
December 1 1 and 2 ; 7 and 8
December 8 3 and 6
December 15 4 and 5
January 5 (2021) 1 and 2 ; 7 and 8
January 12 3 and 6
January 19 4 and 5
Religious Education Coordinators:
Afternoon: Judith Valdes
Evening: Rosa Fernandez
Home Study: Marie Rubin
Contact: 201-641-2989
Donate to St. Margaret's
Here are some ways that you can help our Parish during these trying times:
GoFundMe - Click here to go the GofundMe website
ParishSoft - Click here to go to the giving site.
You can also give via text to (201) 689-5641, just enter the amount you want to donate in the message. You will need to create an account if you haven't done so yet. Click here if you need help creating an account.
Amazon Smile - you can also donate to St. Margaret’s whenever you make a purchase.
1. Go to https://smile.amazon.com, it uses the same account that you have on Amazon.com.
2. Go to Your Account and under Account settings select St. Margaret of Cortona Church as your preferred charity and you’re all set.
3. Every time you make a purchase the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of the eligible item to St. Margaret’s. Just make sure to make all your future purchases on Amazon Smile so that donations are made
Shining the Light of Christ - 2020 Annual Appeal
Visit RCAN.ORG/SHARING to learn more and make a gift today. Play the video below to learn more (click here if you are having trouble playing the video). Click here to view Cardinal Tobin's letter
A message from Fr. Kevin
Mass guidelines
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Sunday Mass times will be as they were
-
Arriving at Sunday Mass
- Enter front doors. The side door will be locked
- Wear a mask as you enter the Church
- Both the inner and outer doors will be open (Only for Sunday Masses)
- You can pick up a song sheet, which you will place in trash or take home with you after Mass
- Do not sit within 6 feet of somebody unless you live with them
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During Mass: Liturgy of the Word
- There will be no entrance procession. The priest and ministers will be seated before Mass
and at the appropriate time all will stand and the entrance song will begin
- During the Liturgy of the Word, if you need to read along (Not encouraged), you will have to bring your own missal or use a smartphone app
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During Mass: Liturgy of the Eucharist
- There will be no offertory procession
- We will ask you to place your offering in the baskets as you leave or exit the Church
- The bread and wine will be in the sanctuary
- The sign of peace will continue to be touch-less unless you live with the person
- Communion will continue to be distributed only in the form of the Precious Body
- Receiving Communion in the mouth is now forbidden
- Masks need to be worn as you approach the altar to receive Communion
- There will only be one line approaching the altar for Communion
- People in rows on each side will alternate coming out into single row in center aisle
- Please keep social distancing by following the markers on the floor
- Those in side pews will continue the practice of coming across center pews maintaining social distance
- After the final blessing, please exit the church one row at a time
POSTER BOARD
"Faith is caught, not taught"
SCHEDULES
Regular Masses
Sunday:
8:00AM, 10:00AM, 12:00PM
Weekdays:
Monday through Friday:
12:05 PM
First Saturday Mass
12:05 PM in the Church
Holy Days
(Except Christmas and Easter): 8:00 AM, 12:05 PM, 7:00 PM
Mass followed by Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament and Benediction every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm
Confessions
Saturdays 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Experience God’s Mercy. Celebrate the Grace-Filled Sacrament of Reconciliation
Contact Us
Parish Center (Monday to Friday):
Tel: 201-641-2988
Fax: 201-641-0664
Rectory (By appointment only):
201-641-2988
Religious Education (Sunday to Thursday):
201-641-3937
Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention
For December 2020
For a Life of Prayer
We pray that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be nourished by the Word of God and a life of prayer.
New in the Area?
If you are new in the area, why not join our ever-growing Parish family. Stop by the Parish Center any weekday and register. Click on this link to download the form or call us at 201-641-2988
"There's no such thing as too many prayers"
"God wants to reign on your parade!"
THE ADVENT WREATH
The Advent wreath is a meaningful tradition practiced by many Christians during the season of Advent. The custom is part of the spiritual preparations that believers make for the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas.
What is the Advent Wreath?
The Advent wreath is a circular garland of evergreen branches representing eternity. On that wreath, four or five candles are typically arranged. Each candle represents an
aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
During the season of Advent, one candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as a part of the Advent services. Families or other small groups of people give devotional readings while lighting the candles on the Advent wreath, adding a meaningful dimension to worship. Many families repeat the tradition at home as a way of deepening and making
spiritual preparations more intimate and personal.
History and Time of the Advent Wreath
The lighting of an Advent wreath is a custom that began in 16th-century Germany among Lutherans and Catholics. The original purpose of the wreath was to bring focus on Christmas rather than on Advent as a distinct season.
In Western Christianity, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, or the Sunday which falls closest to November 30, and lasts through Christmas Eve, or December 24.
The Symbolism of Advent Wreath Candles
Set on the branches of the Advent wreath are four candles: three purple candles and one pink candle (optional: 4 blue candles). A more modern tradition is to place a white candle in the center of the wreath. As a whole, these colored advent candles represent the coming of the light of Christ into the world.
Each week of Advent on Sunday, a particular Advent candle is lit. Catholic tradition states that the four candles, representing the four weeks of Advent, each stand for one thousand years, to total the 4,000 years from the time of Adam and Eve until the birth of the Savior.
Prophecy Candle
On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle (optional: blue) is lit. This candle is typically called the "Prophecy Candle" in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
This first candle represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
Bethlehem Candle
On the second Sunday of Advent, the second purple (optional: blue) candle is lit. This candle typically represents love. Some traditions call this the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizing Christ's manger:
"This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:12)
Shepherds Candle
On the third Sunday of Advent the pink, or rose-colored candle (optional: blue) is lit. This candle is customarily called the "Shepherds Candle," and it represents joy:
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:8–11)
Angels Candle
The fourth and last purple (optional: blue) candle, often called the "Angels Candle," represents peace and is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:13–14)
Christ Candle
On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is lit. This candle is called the "Christ Candle" and represents the life of Christ that has come into the world. The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. Those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow:
"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as
white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (Isaiah 1:18)
