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
Father Nathan St Gabriel | May 31, 2020 | Pentecost Sunday
Father Nathan St Gabriel | May 31, 2020 Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday A Message from Father NathanMy dearest people who are close to my heart! Welcome Back Glad to see some of you are back in the church. I am also glad to still see some of you quarantining at home,...
Memorial Day | Ragged Old Flag
Ragged Old FlagI walked through a county courthouse square, On a park bench an old man was sitting there. I Said, “Your old courthouse is kinda run down.” He said, “Nah, It’ll do for our little town.” I said, “Your flagpole has leaned a little bit, And That’s a Ragged...
Father Nathan St Gabriel | Plan to Return to Worship
Father Nathan St Gabriel | Welcome Back To Worship A Message from Father NathanMy dearest people who are close to my heart! CHURCH OPENING There is light at the end of the tunnel! St. Gabriel Church, like all other churches in our country, has been closed due to the...
Father Nathan St Gabriel | May 24, 2020 Spiritual Communion
What’s the Eucharist?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1324-1327), states, I take pride in quoting it all the time. Each and every word has to be underlined. Every word accentuates the importance of the Eucharist: “The Eucharist is ‘the source and summit’…
Father Nathan St Gabriel | May 17, 2020
Father Nathan St Gabriel | May 17, 2020 A Message from Father NathanMy dearest people who are close to my heart! I hope and believe you are doing great and staying safe. My prayers are always with you. Please be assured of it. Beginning to Plan for a safe Reopening ...
Father Nathan St Gabriel | May 10, 2020
Father Nathan St Gabriel | May 10, 2020A Message from Father NathanMy dearest people who are close to my heart! Daily Prayers For Each of You I hope and believe that you are doing great and staying safe. My prayers are always there for you. Please be assured...