What is the Wreath that appears in churches and dining rooms of homes each year during this Season of Advent?    Well, a good explanation is that, it is "Eternity's Clock" --- a circle of evergreen branches --- cut and left to wither --- revealing death and life.

It is also a "Crown", the garland crown given to victors in games.    It is the sign that the race is done.    It is the sign that the prize has been won.     It is the Crown which each of us wears as "individuals who have been baptized, confirmed and nourished on the Body and the Blood of Christ, and whose heads have been sealed with Royal Sacred Chrism that marks us for all eternity".

The three (3) bluish-purple candles remind of our longing expectation for Christ's Second Coming in Glory and Power to take us home with Him.    The single (1) rose candle symbolizes our joy and hope in awaiting Jesus' Return in Glory.    The warmth of the flames from these candles, teaches us the effects of the love of God for His People.    The Love of God warms all!

With four (4) candles lighted, the Advent Wreath becomes a fiery crown that we give to Christ our King, our Savior, Who returns in the growing gloom of early winter darkness to gather us into our eternal home, the new and heavenly Jerusalem.

Families are encouraged to have their own Advent Wreath.    Families usually put it on their dinner table, or even hang it over that table.    The candles are lighted in order, one more each week, just as is done in church till all four are lighted.   The Advent Wreath helps keep Christ in "Christ"mas.   The Advent Wreath also helps children pass the time till Christmas.

The First Weekend of every month is Respect Life Weekend.     Please take some time to stop by our Respect Life Tables after Mass and look over their booklets and materials.

Remember our "Crib Project"!      We monthly gather items for newborn babies and small infants:   cribs, high chairs, disposable diapers, blankets, toys, baby clothes, bottles and powdered formula, baby hygienic care items such as powders, soaps and other such things.

This weekend, members of Our Savior of the Mountain Mission in Lee Vining are here selling Advent/Christmas wreaths.    These wreaths are made from branches of the beautiful blue fir spruce trees, which surround the Our Savior of the Mountains Mission property.     Parishioners are trying to raise money to redo the lighting in their little Mission church, as there is not sufficient light on dark winter days.       

Thanks to your support over the years with this sale, the few parishioners of the Mission have replaced their heating system, put in new lighting over the altar area, and also laid a nice floor around the altar.     They also remember our parish members and give thanks daily for all their benefactors!