{"id":193,"date":"2026-01-14T11:57:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T16:57:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sainti.diocesanweb.org\/church\/?page_id=193"},"modified":"2026-05-22T11:41:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T15:41:28","slug":"advent","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sainti.diocesanweb.org\/church\/worship-sacraments\/liturgical-seasons\/advent\/","title":{"rendered":"Advent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Invite to Mass & Letter from Father Umberg<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Dear St. Ignatius Parishioners,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My first year as pastor of St. Ignatius has already passed, and it is time again to prepare for Advent and Christmas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a blessing to be at a parish with so many activities for spiritual revitalization and growth, and so many opportunities for coming back to the Lord. A peaceful and joyful celebration of Christmas is helped by a good preparation of our souls in Advent, and a fervent participation in the rich liturgies of the Christmas Season. We are adding a few new Christmas decorations in the church, and we will dedicate a new outdoor Nativity scene on the Second Sunday of Advent. I hope that you will find them inspiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please look through the enclosed invitation to celebrate Advent and Christmas with us. It is my sincere hope that you will take part in preparing the way for the Lord Jesus and celebrating His coming at Christmas. May God bless you with a blessed Advent and a merry Christmas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sincerely yours in Christ,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rev. Andrew J. Umberg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pastor<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Click here for the Advent & Christmas Season Mass and Confession Schedule!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Advent\u00a0Opportunities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Magnificat Advent Companion Booklet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Available soon in the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Seeking Our Savior: An Advent Family Event<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sunday, November 30, 1:30 \u2013 3 p.m.
<\/strong>For families with children ages 3 \u2013 10. Space is limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Register for Seeking Our Savior<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Christmas Pageant Presented by the 4th Grade<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, December 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the church.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Giving Tree<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now through Sunday, December 14<\/strong>
Take an ornament off any of the trees inside the church, purchase the item, and return the wrapped gift with the ornament attached to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mater Filius<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7<\/strong>
Knights of Columbus collection (at the main church doors) to help pregnant women who find themselves without the support of family or who are experiencing financial difficulties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn More about the Giving Tree and Mater Filius<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Mike Davis Concert<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday, December 9 at 7 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Featuring: Popular Singer and Catholic Evangelist Mike Davis. Prepare for the coming of Christ this Advent by joining Mike Davis for a powerful night of prayer, music and scripture. It is a night of power and prayer that can change your life! The event is free to the public. A freewill donation is always appreciated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn More about the Mike Davis Concert<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Rorate Mass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, December 13 <\/strong>at <\/strong>6:30 a.m.                <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A donut breakfast\/social will follow at Loyola Hall.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rorate Mass is a particular votive Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated during Advent. The atmosphere of this Mass is different: it is meant to specifically express the expectant and prayerful waiting of Advent in a visual and experiential way. It is celebrated before first light and is entirely candle-lit (accounting for our early start time). The Mass gets its name from its entrance antiphon, which begins with the words \u201cRorate Caeli\u201d, meaning \u201cdrop down, you heavens.\u201d The antiphon in full is taken from the book of the prophet Isaiah: \u201cDrop down, you heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down the just one.\u201d This quote encapsulates the prophetic expectation of the Messiah, fulfilled at the coming of Christ through Mary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an opportunity to enter the Mass in (literally) a different light and a tradition that can help give shape to Advent, which, even within the Church, has gotten somewhat lost in the rush to celebrate Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, there\u2019s no better use of your Saturday morning\u2014please join us for this Advent Mass!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to Return to Confession & Mass Guides<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Download an Advent Calendar for Children<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Home Blessings for the Season of Advent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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