Avoiding the commercialization of Christmas is a real challenge. For Catholics, the liturgical season of Advent helps us focus on the spiritual preparation for Christmas and on the coming of Our Lord. The catechism stresses the two-fold meaning of this “coming”: “When the church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for His second coming”. Therefore, on one hand, the faithful reflect back on Our Lord’s first coming when He humbled Himself, becoming incarnate and entered our time and space to free us from sin. On the other hand, we recall in the creed that Our Lord will come again to judge the living and the dead and that we must be ready to meet Him. 
I hope everyone enjoys their complimentary Advent reflection book given to each family this weekend in preparation for Christmas. 
It is that time of year again to invite the Faithful within our Family of Parishes to consider making a donation towards a poinsettia plant in loving memory of a loved one(s) which will be placed in our 4 churches this Christmas Season. If you wish to have one please follow these simple directions.

1. In an envelope of your choice, place on a piece of paper the names of those you wish to order a Poinsettia in their loving memory. PLEASE PRINT NAME(S) OF THE DECEASED CLEARLY. 

2. These names will appear in our Christmas bulletin. 
3.  In the same envelope, you may place your donation for the plant. (Donation of your choice). If you are using a cheque in the form of a donation, please make the cheque payable to the church you wish the plant to be in for the Christmas Season. 
4. On the outside of the envelope please print CHRISTMAS PLANTS along with the name of the Church you wish to have your plant placed in. You may place your envelope in the Sunday collection or drop it off at the main office at Most Precious Blood Site. Please note: ALL DONATIONS MUST BE HANDED IN BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13^TH at 4:00 p.m. (for publication purposes). Any donation after December 13^th will not be able to be published in the Christmas Bulletin