From the Desk of Father Nathan

St Gabriel Catholic Church | Pompano Beach
God Bless You All

A Message from Father Nathan

My dearest people closest to my heart!
God bless you and your generous heart

Preparing for Advent

Make Ready For the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ

Advent is a period of special preparation in which many Christians make themselves ready for the coming, or birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

How to Celebrate Lent

Celebrating Advent typically involves a season of prayer, fasting, and repentance, combined with anticipation, hope, and joy. Many of us celebrate Advent not only by thanking God for Christ’s first coming to Earth as a baby, but also for his presence among us today through the Holy Spirit, and in preparation and anticipation of his final coming at the end of the age.

Understanding Advent

Let us try to understand and learn the meaning of Advent and this seasonal observance. The word Advent comes from the Latin term “adventus”, meaning arrival or coming, particularly the coming of something having great importance. Advent season, then, is both a time of joy-filled anticipatory celebration of the arrival of Jesus Christ and a preparatory period of repentance, mediation, and penance.

Advent Candles

The Advent candles and their colors are packed with rich meaning. Each represents a specific aspect of the spiritual preparations for Christmas. The three main colors are purple, pink, and white.

  • Purple symbolizes repentance and royalty. You will witness our church and all the Catholic churches adorned with purple during Advent because it is the liturgical color of the season.
  • Pink represents joy and rejoicing.
  • White stands for purity and light.

Each candle of the Advent Wreath carries a specific name as well.

  • The first (purple) candle is called the Prophecy Candle or Candle of Hope.
  • The second (purple) candle is the Bethlehem Candle or the Candle of Preparation.
  • The third (pink) candle is the Shepherd Candle or Candle of Joy.
  • The fourth (purple) candle is called the Angel Candle or the Candle of Love.
  • The last (white) candle is the Christ Candle.

Let us prepare ourselves worthily and inwardly for the coming of Christ.

Join the Daily Novenas | December 16 – Christmas

As usual, we will have daily novena liturgies at 4:00 p.m. from December 16th to Christmas.

With lots of love and blessings,

Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,

— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan

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Past Messages from Father Nathan

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | September 28, 2025

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | September 28, 2025

World Mission Sunday | Sun, Oct 19, 2025
—”Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples”
Growing up as a child is still very fresh in my memory. When I think of the month of October, I think of World Mission Sunday. In my childhood community, there will be lots..

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | September 14, 2025

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | September 14, 2025

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross – September 14th. This feast is celebrated every year on September 14th and recalls three historical events: The finding of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of the emperor Constantine, The dedication of churches built by Constantine on the site of the Holy Sepulcher and Mount Calvary, The restoration of the True Cross to Jerusalem by the emperor Heraclius II.

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 31, 2025

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 31, 2025

Nativity of our Blessed Mother – September 8th. A traditional Indian Celebration will be held on September 6th (Saturday) at 6:00 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at St. Gabriel following the traditional way of honoring our Blessed Mother, taking her on a decorated chariot…

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From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 17, 2025

From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 17, 2025

Thank You for My Birthday Celebration. Last week, before my birthday, my little niece, with all the innocence and concern of a child, went to her mother and said, “I feel bad for Uncle Father Nathan. Uncle is all alone.  There is no one to celebrate his birthday with him.” She said it because I am far away from my family home, and in her

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