By Kathy Buck, Liverpool UCM President

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We are now at the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year. It is the most joyful time of the year when we look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

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Countries around the world celebrate Advent in their own traditional ways. Here, churches will have their Advent wreaths displayed at the foot of the altar. Each week a candle is lit, each representing a theme – love, hope, joy and peace.

 

Jesse trees are on display for children to place ornaments representing the origins of Jesus’ story – people, prophesies, events leading from the Old Testament to the Nativity.

 

Families put up Advent calendars so children can open each door along the journey to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.

 

There is also a special Novena to Saint Andrew or Saint Nicholas, a nine-day prayer which can be made to either of these two saints, depending on whom you choose to pray to.

 

Advent also brings the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December, a holy day of obligation. This year, we keep in our prayers all people who are suffering from the effects of war, as well as the homeless, the sick, and those who have gone to our Heavenly Father. We also remember our young people, particularly those suffering from mental health issues.

 

Our next bi-monthly Mass will be in March. This will be our Charity Mass, when we present our donation to the Priests’ Training Fund. At the time of writing, we do not have a foundation for this Mass, so I do hope one will come forward to host it.

 

Finally, I would like to wish all our members, their families, Archbishop Sherrington and our clergy a holy, happy and safe Christmas.