ADVENT 2023
What Is the Advent Season?
It is a liturgical season with the weeks leading up to Christmas. It is a season of joyful anticipation of the coming of our Lord, baby Jesus. The liturgical colors of Advent are purple and “rose” (pink).
The Symbolism Behind an Advent Wreath
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The purple candles stand for royalty
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The pink (or rose colored) candle stands for joy
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The wreath itself symbolizes how God’s love for us is never changing, like the evergreen, that stays green all year. The circle shape symbolizes how God has no beginning and no end, just like a circle. He always has been, and he always will be.
What Do The 4 Advent Candles Represent and order in which to light them
There are 4 Sundays in Advent. Each Sunday you add 1 more candle that you light each night. Here are what the 4 candles during Advent stand for:
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First Sunday of Advent (purple candle): Hope
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Second Sunday of Advent (purple candle): Peace
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Third Sunday of Advent (pink candle): Joy
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Fourth Sunday of Advent (purple candle): Love
WEEK ONE - HOPE
Beginning December 2nd
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Sharing Tree
The Trees are up!
Make Christmas Merry and Bright for Veteran's, the Homeless, and kids and families in Newark and Elizabeth.
Click here for details or
to get a virtual tag.
Adopt - A - Family
Share your blessings this Christmas season with families in your community, your neighborhoods and your schools.
All adopted family information is anonymous. Invite your family and friends to participate with you.
Click here for details or
to sign-up.
Food Pantry Dinner Drive
Little Flower's Food Pantry is providing Christmas Dinner for those who frequent the pantry. Sign up to provide a meal item here.
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Blessing of the Advent Wreath
December 2 & 3
At All Masses
Berkeley Heights Winter Walk
December 2
3 - 6 pm
Look for our table featuring giveaways and balloon animals.
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Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
December 7 - Vigil Mass - 7 pm
December 8 - Holy Day Mass - 9 am
Holy Day of Obligation
Today we celebrate the special way in which the Virgin Mary herself was conceived.
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Women's Ministry Preschool Playdate
December 8
10 am - 11:30 am
Parish Center Lower Level
Moms and preschoolers are invited to make a Christmas ornament craft.
WEEK TWO - PEACE
Beginning December 9th
5th Annual
Men's Breakfast
December 9
8 am - Noon
IT REALLY IS JESUS
THE GIFT OF THE EUCHARIST
Featuring speaker David Hajduk, Ph.D Adjunct Professor of Moral Theology School of Theology - Seton Hall University.
For more information or to register click here.
Calling All Bakers
Drop off or help assemble the tins December 14
7 pm
Parish Center
If you enjoy baking or are looking for a way to spread the Christmas spirit, please consider baking and donating a dozen (or more) cookies to the Community Outreach Ministry's Cookies for the Elderly and Homebound program. We distribute tins of assorted cookies to parishioners. Any questions, please call Jane Brown 908-612-4458.
Crafts, Cocoa and Tree Lighting
December 9
After 5:30 pm Mass
Join us for the annual tree lighting, hot chocolate, Christmas carols, entertainment and a SPECIAL VISITOR!
Bring your Passport!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Fr. JC and Fr. Matthew getting our Little Flower Christmas Tree ready for our annual tree lighting and craft and cocoa. A big thanks to the Krug and Tokash families for donating the Little Flower Christmas tree. We look forward to watching it grow.
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Blue Christmas Prayer Service
December 10
3 - 4 pm
In the Church
We gather in the midst of suffering to remember God is good. God is strong. God is near. We are not alone, and we have every reason to hold on to hope.
Gather together for a time of prayer, song and reflection to find hope in God.
Taize Prayer Service
December 15
7 pm
Church
Give yourself the gift of a time of quiet prayer, readings and song as we slow down before the Christmas rush.
WEEK THREE - JOY
Beginning December 16th
Children's Liturgy of the Word
December 17
11:30 am Mass
Rejoice in the coming of Christ!
Blessing of the
Bambinelli (Baby Jesus)
December 17
11:30 am Mass
The Blessing of the Bambinelli is a Roman tradition, celebrated by the Pope each year on the third Sunday of Advent. Children bring the Bambinelli from your family nativity scene to Mass for a blessing.
Advent Penance Service
December 18
7 - 8 pm
In the Church
Join us for a community prayer service and then time for individual confessions.
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Christmas is Calling You Home
December 17
4 pm
In the Church
Light reception to follow.
Join our community around a live nativity scene to celebrate the Christmas season.
Rehearsal pictures here.
Bring your Passport!
WEEK FOUR - LOVE
Beginning December 23rd
Christmas Eve Mass Schedule
4 pm, 6 pm
&
10 pm (Candle Mass)
In 2023 Christmas Eve and the 4th Sunday of Advent are the same day. Normal Sunday Masses on December 24th are at 8:30am and 11:30am for the 4th Sunday of Advent.
Sunday Christmas Eve Masses at 4pm, 6pm and 10pm fulfill your Christmas obligation.
Christmas Day
Mass Schedule
8:30 am
&
11:30 am
Throughout the Season
Little Blue Books
Beginning November 25
Available at all Masses at at the Bernauer Parish Center
while supplies last.
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Prayer Intentions
This is the season for prayer, we pray for your intentions throughout the Advent Season.
The creche is out in the sanctuary, paper and pens available in the Gathering Space. Write your Advent prayer, drop it in the creche, and the priest will pray for your intention during the entire season of Advent.