Advent
LiturgiesTo mark this holy season of longing and
waiting, we change some of our usual liturgical practices. The
procession is modified and the altar is decorated more simply. During
the liturgies, a greater role is given to silence, to the chanting of
psalms, and to the ringing of bells. In accordance with a very ancient
tradition in the church, the use of the organ is reduced during Advent.
Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath is a devotion Catholics have adopted from the
Lutheran tradition. Prior to each Mass, the priest gathers with the
liturgical ministers for the prayer and candle-lighting associated with
the wreath. With each succeeding Sunday of Advent, an additional candle
is lit on the wreath, a symbol of the dawning of the light of Christ
into the world.
Evening Prayer with Music from Taizé
On Friday, December 3 at 6:30pm, this beloved monthly prayer service
returns, with music, candlelight, and silence. Start your weekend with
the meditative, peaceful spirit of Taizé.
Vespers: Evening Prayer
4:00pm Sunday afternoons. You are invited to join in the universal
prayer of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours, a forty minute service
of sung prayer concluding with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
This beautiful candlelit service is the perfect conclusion to a December
Sunday. The Sacrament of
Reconciliation
is celebrated each Saturday morning in the Reconciliation Chapel,
from 8:30am until 9:30am. Communal
Reconciliation Service
will be held on Monday, December 13 at 7:00pm. During these beautiful
service of readings, reflection and song, we will open ourselves to
experience the gift of God’s gracious and loving forgiveness in the
Sacrament of Penance. The
Immaculate Conception
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
is Wednesday, December 8. Masses for the Holy Day will be at 8:00am,
12:10pm, and 5:30pm.
Madre de las Americas
Saturday, December 4, 11:30am, Entrance of the Dancers. 12:10pm, Mass
with Bishop Elizondo. The Hispanic community of Western Washington comes
together at this celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the
Mother of the Americas. All are welcome both for the procession and the
Mass! Simbang Gabi Celebration
Saturday, December 11, 11:00am Mass. Join Bishop Elizondo and
participants from some dozens parishes for the festive opening
celebration of Simbang Gabi, a novena of Masses in which we prepare for
Christmas in company with Mary. This colorful and prayerful Mass
includes the blessing of parols (traditional star shaped lanterns from
the Philippines) and helps us to focus our Christmas celebration on the
coming of Jesus, Light of the World. All are welcome.
Cathedral Dedication Anniversary
Wednesday, December 22 marks 114 years since St. James Cathedral was
dedicated in 1907, and 27 years since it was rededicated in 1994. We
will celebrate this anniversary with a special Mass on Tuesday, December
21 at 5:30pm, with the lighting of the dedication candles. On Wednesday,
December 22, Archbishop Etienne will join us for the 12:10pm Mass during
which we will formally bless and dedicate the Cathedral Columbarium.
The Giving Tree
Stop by the Mary shrine to pick a tag off our annual Giving Tree, or
visit the Cathedral website for the virtual Giving Tree. Each tag
contains a gift wish from someone in need in our community. It’s easy
and fun to participate: simply shop for the gift and return it after
Sunday Mass in the Cathedral Chapel or have it shipped to the Parish
Office by Sunday, December 12. Information, Patrick Barredo,
206-382-4515 or pbarredo@stjames-cathedral.org .
Sock Drive
Our Annual “Warm Hearts and Soles” Advent Sock Drive is underway! Our
Goal: 2,022 pairs of socks for homeless men. Please drop socks off in
the Cathedral Chapel or in the Parish Office. If you're ordering socks
online, have them shipped directly to St. James Cathedral!
Christmas Masses
The celebration of Christmas begins with the Vigil Mass of Christmas
at 5:30pm on Friday, December 24, and continues with the Mass during the
Night—Carol Service at 9:00pm, Mass at 10:00pm. The Masses of Christmas
Day on Saturday, December 25 will be 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00 Noon, and
5:30pm. Solemn Vespers of Christmas will be at 4:00pm on Christmas Day.
Socially distanced seating is available for the Masses of Christmas Day
only; no distanced seating is available on Christmas Eve. Please note
that on Sunday, December 26 (Holy Family), Masses will be at 8:00am,
10:00am, and 12 Noon, with Vespers at 4:00pm. There will be no 5:30pm
Mass on Sunday, December 26. Find out more at
www.stjames-cathedral.org .
Mary, Mother of God & Epiphany
The celebration of Mary, Mother of God begins with the vigil at
5:30pm on Friday, December 31, and continues Masses at 8:00am and
10:00am only on New Year’s Day. Masses on the Epiphany will be on
Saturday, January 1 at 5:30pm and Sunday, January 2 at 8:00am, 10:00am,
12 Noon, and 5:30pm, with Solemn Vespers at 4:00pm.
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Musical Prayer for Advent
Saturday, December 4 at 8:00pm Medieval Women’s
Choir Music of Mirth
Despite the challenges of the past two years, the return to live
performances is cause for celebration. The medieval church left us a
large, vibrant corpus of music designed to do just that, much of it
focused on the miracle of Christmas, on spiritual renewal, and on the
feast days that illuminate the darkest days of the year. What better way
to make merry than with a live concert? Tickets and more info at
medievalwomenschoir.org/events/ or 206-717-4550. $30 general admission
or use the pay-what-you-will option on their ticketing page. Please
take note that according to current King County regulations, people ages
12 and older are required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or
a negative test result from a testing provider in the last 72 hours to
attend this concert. Friday, December 17 at 7:30pm
A Service of Readings and Carols
St. James presents our annual Service of Readings and Carols. In the
soft glow of candlelight, St. James adult and youth choirs,
organists, and Cathedral Brass perform music for the Advent season, with
traditional readings from Holy Scripture heralding Christ’s birth. This
prayer is open to all; freewill offering. Friday,
December 31 at 11:00pm New
Year’s Eve Gala Concert with Cathedral Cantorei &
Chamber Orchestra
The New Year’s Eve concert is back! Celebrate with music of Baroque
composers Antonio Vivaldi and Arcangelo Corelli. The beauty and power of
the voices of St. James Cathedral Cantorei join chamber orchestra in
Vivaldi’s Magnificat and Gloria, and the orchestral strings sparkle in
Corelli’s Christmas Concerto. $30 suggested donation or
pay-what-you-can. Purchase of tickets in advance offers seating within a
reserved section. For more info, visit
www.stjames-cathedral.org/music, email
musicoffice@stjames-cathedral.org, or call 206-382-4874. Please
take note that according to current King County regulations, people ages
12 and older are required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or
a negative test result from a testing provider in the last 72 hours to
attend this concert.
Information, 206-382-4874 or
www.stjames-cathedral.org/music
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