 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. The Advent wreath used in the Cathedral this year was
designed by Father Josef Venker, SJ of Seattle University. The weathered
wood base suggests the scripture heard each year during this season:
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud
shall blossom (Isaiah 11:1).
Care for Creation Advent Calendar
Click
here to download our annual Care for Creation Advent calendar, with
a thought, an action, or a reflection for each day.
Evening Prayer with Music from Taizé
On Friday, December 2 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 12 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 Thursday, December 8. Masses for the Holy Day will be Wednesday,
December 7 at 5:30pm, and Thursday, December 8 at 8:00am, 10:10am (with
O’Dea High School), and 12:10pm.
Madre de las Americas
Saturday, December 3, 11:30am, Entrance of the Dancers. 12:10pm, Mass
with Archbishop Etienne. 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
Thursday, December 22 marks 115 years since St. James Cathedral was
dedicated in 1907, and 28 years since it was rededicated in 1994. We
will celebrate this anniversary with a special Mass on December 22 at
5:30pm, with the lighting of the dedication candles. Father Ryan will
preside.
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 11. 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: 2,023 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!
Ditty Bags for Seafarers
This year, the Cathedral community is invited to collect items to be
given to seafarers who dock in the Port of Seattle. Our goal is to
donate 100 ditty bags to be distributed during the holidays. "Ditty
bags" are receptacles for odds and ends. The Seattle Seafarers’ Center
provides about 1,000 of these to merchant seafarers with bags full of
all kinds of basic necessities each year. It is an important part of the
pastoral welcome and care for seafarers who are berthed during the
holidays. It is a wonderful way to give thanks for these often hidden
essential workers, who come from all over the world and are far from
their families. We have the bags, all we need is the contents!
Please consider donating any of the following items:
· an adult-sized knit hat
· full size (please no travel size) bottle of
shampoo and/or body wash
· full size
toothpaste
· toothbrush
·
deodorant
· shaving cream
·
1-2 razors
All donations can be left in the Cathedral Bookstore anytime between
now and December 2. You can also have items shipped to the parish office
(attention: Maria). Thank you! Information,
Maria Laughlin, 206-382-4284.
Christmas Masses
The celebration of Christmas begins with the Vigil Mass of Christmas
at 5:30pm on Saturday, 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 Sunday, December 25 will follow the usual Sunday
schedule: 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00 Noon, and 5:30pm. Solemn Vespers of
Christmas will be at 4:00pm on Christmas Day. 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 Saturday, December 31. On January 1, New Year’s Day, Masses
will follow the usual schedule, with Masses at 8:00am, 10:00am 12 Noon,
and 5:30pm. Vespers will be at 4:00pm on New Year’s Day.
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