OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CHURCH ELLICOTT CITY, MARYLAND ~ www.olphparish.

org

Advent and Christmas 2011

The season of Advent is a special time of grace when we are called to quiet down and prepare our hearts and lives to receive the Lord Jesus. How can we quiet down at a time of the year when things seem to get even busier around us?
Prepare Your Heart to Receive

We have to be deliberate about it and not simply wait for the quiet to come to us, otherwise it will never arrive. Please make use of the opportunities for prayer and giving listed below as a way of making the most of this special season of preparation!
we have the opportunity to pray before Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament during Eucharistic Adoration. In the midst of the holiday rush, stop into the church, slow down, and spend some quiet time with Jesus. This is a great chance to open your heart to Him and speak with Him in prayer. Feast of the Immaculate Conception Thursday, December 8 A Holy Day of Obligation The Mass schedule is as follows: Wednesday, Dec. 7: Vigil Mass at 7:00pm Thursday, Dec. 8: 6:30am, 9:30am (with school children), 7:00pm The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated each year on December 8 and is a holy day of obligation. This beautiful feast celebrates one of Gods greatest works: the conception of Mary without sin in the womb of her mother, St. Ann. In preserving Mary from the stain of sin, the Lord prepared her for the special role she would have as the mother of Christ our Savior. This feast is a wonderful prelude to our Christmas celebrations. Advent Evenings of Reflection at St. Pauls Wednesdays Dec. 7, 14 and 21 at 7pm Join Fr. Matt Buening, Fr. Warren Tanghe and Fr. Erik Arnold as they lead a series of reflections for the parishes of our cluster. This years theme looks at three great moments in the life of Mary: the Annunciation, the Visitation and the Nativity. Join us as we learn from Mary and prepare for Christmas. All are welcome!

the Lord at Christmas

Receive Gods Mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation Dont miss out on these opportunities to unburden your heart from sin and experience the greatness of Gods love and mercy. Regular Weekly Confessions - Every Saturday afternoon of Advent at OLPH from 3:00-4:15pm. Ellicott City Regional Advent Penance Service hosted at the Church of the Resurrection - Monday, December 12, 2011 at 7:00pm A large number of priests will be available! Havent been to confession for a while? Dont worry you can find a helpful guide on our parish website at www.olphparish.org/sacraments. Just let the priest know its been a little while and hell help you the whole way. Daily Mass Join us Monday thru Saturday at 8:15am for daily Mass (and Thursdays at 9:30am for our School Mass) and enter more deeply into the season by reflecting on the Scripture readings that foretell the coming of Christ, and then receive Him in the Eucharist. This is a great way to build-in time with the Lord during the busyness of December. Spend Quiet Time with Jesus during Eucharistic Adoration Every Friday from 9:00am until Saturday at 8:00am

Blessing and Lighting of the Parish Christmas Tree Sunday, December 18 at 7:00pm Join us outside the Parish Center as we bless and light our Parish Christmas Tree, sing a few carols, and then move inside for hot cocoa and treats. The Christmas tree has a beautiful history in our celebration of the Birth of Jesus. Take a break from the hectic running around, join us and keep the true meaning of the Christmas tree alive! All are welcome! St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Giving Tree Program Two Giving Trees will be setup in the church narthex with 800 gift tags waiting to be taken on the weekend of Nov. 26/27. Please help make a joyful Christmas for the needy children in our area. This year, as in the past, your gifts will bring joy to children at St. Vincent de Paul's Headstart Program in SE and NW Baltimore, St. Veronica, and St. Wenceslaus. Please return your gifts to the church no later than the 11:00am Mass on Sunday, Dec. 11! Christmas Parish Family Dinner Night Friday, January 6 from 5pm-8pm Join us for our next Family Dinner Night as we continue our Christmas celebration and draw near to the Feast of the Epiphany. We have a wonderful night in store so take some time to relax with family and friends and join us for a great meal. Dont let Christmas end too early join us for our Christmas Parish Family Dinner Night! RSVP at www.olphparish.org/dinner

Christmas Eve Masses

Saturday, December 24, 2011
Please note the changes to our regular Saturday schedule!

4:00pm - Church (Childrens Choir) 4:00pm - Parish Center (Contemporary) 6:00pm - Church (Youth Choir) 8:00pm - Church (Traditional Choir) -followed
by the blessing of the Nativity scene

12:00am Midnight - Church (Contemporary)

A musical prelude will begin 20 minutes before each Christmas Eve Mass. The Childrens Christmas Program will begin at 3:30pm in the Church

Christmas Day Masses

Sunday, December 25, 2011 9:00am - Church (Organ and Cantor)

New Years Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Saturday, December 31, 2011 3:15-4:15pm Confessions 4:30pm Vigil Mass for the Solemnity 8pm-Midnight Eucharistic Adoration 12:00 am Midnight Mass
Start the New Year in a different way! Join us for Eucharistic Adoration on New Years Eve followed by Mass at Midnight for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Stay afterwards as we toast the New Year!

Please remember our Poor Box during Advent and Christmas!

Coming Events and Programs: Winter Bible Study of St. Pauls First Letter to the Corinthians. Join us for an exciting 11-week study on Thursday evenings at 7pm, starting January 12. The conflicts of the early Christians in Corinth were very similar to our struggles today this is a much-needed message for our own times. Visit our website for details! Love and Respect Marriage Conference at OLPH Feb. 10-11 save the date for this amazing conference that is humorous, to the point, relevant and meaningful for men and women. Learn how the differences between men and women can leave marriages in the crazy cycle and how to break out of it in a way that leaves husbands feeling respected and wives loved. Save the date! More info coming

Sunday, January 1, 2012 Regular Sunday Mass Schedule: 7:30am, 9:00am, 11:00am, & 5:00pm