Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is Thursday, Dec. 8

Vigil Mass: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 7pm
Holy Day Masses: 6:30am, 8am, 12pm and 7pm (English); 8:30pm (español)
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation.

Rorate Caeli Masses In Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saturdays at 6:30am During Advent

This Advent Saint Philip Church will have Rorate Caeli Masses Saturdays, Dec. 3, 10, 17 and 24, at 6:30am. These Masses, offered only during Advent, are celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Traditionally they are celebrated at sunrise and are lit only by candlelight. See more informaiton here.

Make a "Visit to Bethlehem" on Sunday, Dec. 18

Children’s Christmas Pageant Returns

St. Philip presents "Visit to Bethlehem" Sunday, December 18, at 5:30pm on the lawn in front of the convent. Join us for a fun-filled evening of celebration of the true meaning of the season. This event is for kids of all ages.

Activities will include Las Posadas, a Children’s Christmas Pageant, a special appearance by St. Nicholas, games, snacks, Christmas caroling and real sheep!

All children are invited to participate in the Children’s Christmas Pageant. We will meet on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 2pm to assign roles, distribute costumes and briefly rehearse. Can’t make the rehearsal? You can still participate at the party! Just come dressed as an angel or shepherd. Contact Suzanne Webb with Questions.

"Prepare the Way" Advent Video Series

Bishop Burbidge invites you to begin this new liturgical year with renewed focus on preparing for the coming of Christ at Christmas. Begin your Advent journey with this Week 1 meditation led by Fr. David Dufresne. Accompanied by the faithful of the diocese, may we prepare the way the Lord — climbing the Lord's holy mountain.

Find out more about the advent video series at arlingtondiocese.org/preparetheway.

News and Notes
 

This Can Be Your "Best Advent/Christmas Ever" With Dynamic Catholic

Do you want to reclaim the peace that can only come from simplicity this Christmas? Dynamic Catholic is again offering its free “Best Advent Ever” series to help you appreciate and celebrate the season. You’ll receive short, inspiring videos in your inbox every morning to help you focus your day on what matters most. Sign up at dynamiccatholic.com/advent.

Try the #1 Catholic App Hallow App Free for 3 Months

St. Philip has partnered with Hallow this Advent to encourage all parishioners to prepare their heart this season by incorporating prayer into each day. This Advent, we’re inviting you to join Hallow’s #Pray25 Challenge: Journey through Salvation History featuring the cast of "The Chosen." Hallow is the #1 Catholic app worldwide and includes 1,000 prayer sessions available for free, and over 5,000 audio-guided sessions in an upgraded premium subscription. Hallow is designed to help you grow closer to God and develop a daily habit of prayer, and includes prayers for kids and families, resources for mental health, meditations for sleep, seasonal music, multiple languages (including Spanish, Portuguese, and Polish!) daily trivia, podcast-style courses to learn more about faith, and more! Hallow also has subscriber-exclusive content and you can try the paid version of the app for 3 months free by signing up at hallow.com/advent-3-month-trial.

Tabernacle Project Update

After much discussion and prayer, and with the full support and permission of Bishop Burbidge, we will be moving the Tabernacle to the center of the sanctuary. The Eucharist is at the heart of all that we do as a parish. We are looking forward to making Our Eucharistic Lord more visible to everyone in the sanctuary and giving Him the highest place of honor. Find updates on this project at stphilipsparish.com/Tabernacle

St. Philip Giving Tree Helps Refugees and Moms

St. Philip Giving Tree has arrived and is in the vestibule. Please plan to take an ornament to spread the love of Jesus to others who are less fortunate. The tree is filled with ornaments to help two charities: Refugee and Migration Services of the Diocese of Arlington (Amazon Wishlist at https://a.co/3CwyIQ9) and A Woman’s Choice, a pregnancy resource center. Get your ornament and unwrapped gift back to the rectory or place it under the tree in the vestibule by December 18.

Food Pantry Needs

Don’t forget the Food Pantry when doing your grocery shopping. There is always need. In addition to food, currently we are in great need of reusable grocery bags. As a reminder, the Food Pantry is open for food distribution on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month starting at 8:30am. For more information, please email eac2427@gmail.com.