St. Ann Monastery Basilica Parish

Today's Mass will be the last one live-streamed until Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Rejoice! The Lord is coming soon!

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/seasons-and-feast-days/advent-14416

The recitation of the Christmas O Antiphons begins on Dec. 17!

ADVENT TOWER

The Advent Tower is meant to be used at family Advent devotions on the last seven days before Christmas. The seven windows in the tower mask seven symbols of Christ, each of which is the theme of one of the seven "O Antiphons."

The "O's" of Advent are the great gems of liturgical song which are sung each evening at the "Magnificat" at Vespers, from December 17 to December 23. Addressing Christ with seven magnificent titles, they beg Him with mounting impatience to come to save His people. The window in the roof of the tower masks the Christmas scene, and should be opened on Christmas Eve.

The "Twelve Days of Christmas" book contains a Christmas Novena during which the windows in the Advent Tower are opened. But the windows may also be opened very simply with the reading of the appropriate antiphon, and the praying of the "Magnificat."

THE "O'S" OF ADVENT

Dec. 17--O WISDOM, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly--
COME! and teach us the way of prudence.

Dec. 18--O LORD AND GIVER of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush, and gave him the law on Sinai--
COME! and redeem us with outstretched arm.

Dec. 19--O ROOT OF JESSE, who stands for an ensign of the people, before whom kings shall keep silence, and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication--
COME! to deliver us, and tarry not.

Dec. 20--O KEY OF DAVID, and Scepter of the House of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts, and no man opens--
COME! and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Dec. 21--O DAWN OF THE EAST, brightness of the light eternal, and Sun of Justice-
COME! and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Dec. 22--O KING OF THE GENTILES and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one--
COME! and deliver man, whom You formed out of the dust of the earth.

Dec. 23--O EMMANUEL, our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior--
COME! to save us, O Lord our God.

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/advent-tower-the-o-antiphons-10414

Mass will be celebrated on Christmas Eve at 4:00 P.M. and Midnight, and on Christmas Day at 8:30 A.M. and 11:00 A.M.
There will be no evening mass on Christmas Day. Please join us as we celebrate the Birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

This could be YOU! Stop by the Shrine Dining Room after masses this weekend to purchase our homemade Christmas Cookies. You'll be glad you did...and so will we!!!

The women of Saint Ann's Basilica Parish are hard at work preparing for this weekend's "Christmas Cookie Bake". Thanks to the generosity of so many bakers, we have collected over 270 dozen delicious homemade cookies. Please support this tasty holiday fund-raiser.

Abundant blessings upon the children of our Religious Education Program who presented the "Living Nativity" at our Christmas Concert this past Sunday. May the love of the Christ child fill their hearts at Christmas and all the New Year through.

There are many liturgical celebrations throughout the year which honor Our Blessed Mother. Today, December 12, is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Her apparition to the indigenous Saint Juan Diego, whose feast day is December 9, is one of the most eloquent testimonies to our Blessed Mother’s care for all people. Mary appeared four times to Juan Diego, whose people and whose way of life were being overwhelmed by “los conquistadores,” the conquerors.

Her message: Do not be afraid…Am I not your mother? It was a strengthening message of hope in desperate times.

It is a feeling that many people of our time have come to know. Every household and every family knows that life can be threatened by today’s unsettled world. The presence of Mary as a watchful presence over us is a message that strengthens us.

May Our Lady of Guadalupe surround your hearts and the hearts of your loved ones with the reassurance of God’s protective power, no matter the struggle, no matter the doubt. The roses of Tepeyac became the indelible image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and that image has given hope and joy to generations of families throughout the American continent for centuries.

We Passionists shall continue to invoke her intercession and shall remember you and your intentions during our Eucharist today.

Thanks to the kindness, cooking, and efforts of our Food Pantry Committee, another free meal was served at the Pope Saint John Paul II Hall at SS. Peter and Paul Church on Sunday, December 10. Those who enjoyed it were very grateful. Our next free meal will be hosted by the Knights of Columbus on Sunday, January 14, at 1:00 P.M. Please call the rectory to reserve a seat at our table.

Our annual Christmas Concert!

Today is the Second Sunday of Advent. Prepare ye the way of the Lord! For a free eBook of Advent reflections and more details about the meaning of the season: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/seasons-and-feast-days/advent-14416

On Dec. 9, Catholics celebrate St. Juan Diego, the indigenous Mexican Catholic convert whose encounter with the Virgin Mary began the Church's devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Read more about how the Lord worked through Juan Diego: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-juan-diego-409

All are welcome to join us for our Annual Christmas Concert and Living Nativity. The event begins on Sunday, December 10, at 2:00 P.M. in the Basilica. We hope to see you there.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/seasons-and-feast-days/immaculate-conception-20466

Mass will be celebrated for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, a holy day of obligation, on Thursday, December 7, at 7:00 P.M., and on Friday, December 8, at 9:00 A.M., noon, and 7:00 P.M. Please join us as we honor Our Lady.

St. Nicholas' feast day is Dec. 6. One of the most famous stories of his generosity says that he threw bags of gold through an open window in the house of a poor man to serve as dowry for the man’s daughters, who otherwise would have been forced into prostitution. The gold is said to have landed in the family’s shoes, which were drying near the fire. This is why children leave their shoes out by the door, or hang their stockings by the fireplace in the hopes of receiving a gift on the eve of his feast.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-nicholas-of-myra-75

Attention: ALL BAKERS! We are in need of bakers to donate 6 dozen (or less) of your favorite Christmas cookies for our 2nd Annual "Christmas Cookie Bake". Please contact Sue at 570-904-0502 if you can help with this tasty fund-raiser to be held on December 16 and 17 at the Basilica. Thank you!

Today is the feast of St. John Damascene, who lived in the midst of political and theological turmoil. He wrote much to clarify true doctrine and to do his part in spreading the Gospel. May he intercede for us during these turbulent times!

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/john-damascene-635

🎄Christmas Cookie Bake🍪
Our 2nd Annual Christmas Cookie Bake will be held on December 16th and 17th after all Masses (or until we sell out). Cookies are $10/lb. Patrons can choose their own on the day of the sale, or pre-order by calling Sue at 570-904-0502. We are looking for bakers to donate 6 dozen of their favorite cookie. Call Sue for more details. Father Jim’s Christmas CD will be on sale for $5.00.

Advent has begun! This year “Evening Prayer” will be celebrated on Thursdays and Sundays after the 7:00 PM Mass in the upper Basilica. All are welcome to attend.

🎶Christmas Concert and Living Nativity: St Ann and SS. Peter and Paul’s Religious Education and Music Ministries will hold their annual show on Sunday, December 10th at 2 PM. All are welcome to attend.🎼

TODAY is FIRST SATURDAY, where we make reparation for blasphemies against the Blessed Mother.

Tune in starting at 8 a.m. ET for the First Saturday devotion, starting with Mass, followed by the Rosary and First Saturday programming for kids. See the full program schedule in your local time: http://bit.ly/EWTNtv

Students from our Confirmation Class assisted at our "Breakfast with Santa" last weekend and did a great job waiting on tables. A "Ho-Ho-Ho" time was had by all! Thanks to the class of 2024.