OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CHURCH

ELLICOTT CITY, MARYLAND

www.olphparish.org

A DVENT 2015

Making Time for God

The challenge every

Advent is to make time for God,
to slow down and quiet down
enough that we are able to
connect with Him in our
hearts. It has been said
that we no longer live in an
overstimulated world, but
a hyperstimulated world
in which our eyes, ears
and minds are never given
a chance to experience
stillness, silence or even dark.
But its exactly in the stillness

Spiritual Preparation for
Christmas
Receive Gods Mercy
in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Dont miss these opportunities t o u n b u r d e n
y o u r h e a r t f r o m s i n a n d experience the
greatness of Gods love for you:
Regular Weekly Confessions:
Tuesdays 6:00 -7:00pm
Fridays 4:30-6:00pm &
Saturday 3:00-4:15pm
Howard County Regional Advent Penance
Services
Monday, December 14, 2015 at
7:00pm at the Church of the
Resurrection, Ellicott City
Tuesday, December 15, 2 0 1 5 a t
7 :00pm a t S t . Francis of Assisi, Fulton
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 b e r e a d y t o help.

and silence that the Lord tends to come:

When peaceful stillness compassed
everything and the night in its swift
course was half spent, Your allpowerful word from heavens royal
throne bounded. (Wisdom 18:1415) This Advent the Lord offers us
the grace of entering into the life of
prayer in a new and renewed way.
As busy as the season may be, He
offers us opportunities to pause,
quiet our hearts and meet Him in
prayer.

Daily Mass
Join us Monday thru Saturday at 8:15am for daily
Mass (and Thursdays at 9:30am for our School
Mass) to 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 we have the
opportunity to pray before Jesus truly
present in the Blessed Sacrament
during Eucharistic Adoration. With
faith in His words This is my Body, we
come before Him and enter His
presence. In the midst of the holiday
rush, stop into the church, slow
down, and spend some quiet time with Jesus as
He invites you to open your heart to Him and
speak with Him in prayer or simply enjoy resting
in His presence.

St. Vincent de Paul

Christmas Giving Tree Program
You are invited to select from 900 gift tags as we do
our small part to bring joy in the form of a gift to
children at St. Wenceslaus in East Baltimore, St.
Veronicas in South Baltimore, Sarahs Hope shelter
for mothers and children, and GrassRoots here in
Howard County. T h is y e a r, p le a s e p ic k u p g ift
ta g s f r o m t h e b a s k e t s p l a c e d n e a r t h e
e x i t s o f t h e c h u r c h on the weekend of Nov.
28/29. Please follow the instructions found in the
bulletin (and our website) and return your gifts to
the ch u rch no later than the 11:00am Mass on
Sunday, Dec. 13!

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Monday, December 8
A Holy Day of Obligation
Four Masses will be celebrated:
Monday, December 7 -Vigil Mass at 7:00pm
Tuesday, December 8 - 6:30am, 9:30am & 7pm
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.

Monthly Eucharistic Festival of Praise

Friday, December 4 7:30 pm
We experience Gods joy, peace, love, healing, and
mercy when we lift our hearts to Him in praise. Join us
for our monthly Festival of Praise an evening of
prayer, praise, worship and adoration before Jesus in
the gift of the Eucharistic. Its an easy way to enter
deeply into prayer as our musicians lead worship and
we connect with Jesus who is truly present in the gift of
the Eucharist. Join us for a wonderful and powerful
evening of prayer!

OLPH Christmas Concert

Friday, December 11 7:30pm
With Christmas just two weeks away, we invite you to
an evening of Christmas Hymns and Carols to help move
our hearts to a joyful place. The evening will feature
Adam Novotny, Stephen Lay and Nick Sungenis and
include a wide array of selections and musical styles
including: jazz, bluegrass, contemporary worship,
traditional carols and new spins on old favorites. Bring
the entire family to the Parish Center gym for a fun and
joyful evening.
Christmas Concert at the Shrine of St. Anthony
Saturday, December 19 6:30pm
The Shrine of St. Anthony welcomes you to experience
the spirit of Christmas in a program celebrating Christs
nativity with Scripture, poems, art songs and carols of
Christmas.
Featured Soprano Alina Kozinska has
performed throughout Europe and at major world events,
including the Papal Mass of Pope John Paul II in
Baltimore. Alina brings with her several talented and
award winning performers for this great event! Proceeds
benefit the Shrine of St. Anthony. Seating is limited and
will be done on a first-come-first-served basis. For more
information or to purchase tickets call the Shrine Office
at 410-531-2800

OLPH Annual Breakfast with Santa

Sunday, December 6 from 8:00am12:00pm
Join us for a delicious breakfast buffet, the S e c r e t
Santa Shop, kids crafts, raffle trees and photos with
Santa. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children
ages 3-12, $7 for seniors, and FREE for children
under 3. Visit olphschool.org for more info!


Greccio Living Nativity at the
Shrine of St. Anthony
December 12 and 13 at 7:30pm
Join the Franciscan Friars at the Shrine of St. Anthony
for the Greccio Living Nativity to celebrate the
coming of the Christmas Season. The nativity scene
is a deep tradition within the Franciscan Order
dating back to when St. Francis popularized the
Nativity Scene in a town called Greccio. Our Living
Nativity is located at the hay barn and features
carols, adoration, and refreshments. There is no
charge for this event. For more info, call (410) 5312800.

Christmas Parish Family Dinner Night!
Saturday, January 2 from 4:30pm-8pm
Mark your calendars for our next OLPH Family
Dinner Night as we continue our Christmas
celebrations. Our kitchen crew has a wonderful meal
planned so take time to relax with family and friends
and join us for a great night. Dont let Christmas end
too early join us for our Christmas Parish Family
Dinner Night!

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS
MASS SCHEDULE

Christmas Eve Masses

Thursday, December 24, 2015
4:00pm in the Church and 4:00pm in the Parish Center
6:00pm in the Church and 6:00pm in the Parish Center
8:00pm - Church
12:00am Midnight - Church

A musical prelude will take place before each

Christmas Eve Mass.
The Childrens Christmas Program will begin at 3:30pm in the Church

Christmas Day Masses

Friday, December 25, 2015

9:00am - Church

New Years
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

A Holy Day of Obligation

New Years Eve
Thursday, December 31, 2015
5:00pm Vigil Mass for the Solemnity
8:00pm to 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 Candlelight Mass at
Midnight for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Stay afterwards
as
we
toast
the
New
Year!

New Years Day

Friday, January 1, 2016
9:00am Mass for the Solemnity