What is Advent?
Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.
The Advent season is a time of preparation. If we want to experience the true magic and meaning of Christmas, we need to take a break from our to-do lists and get our hearts ready for the celebration of the birth of Christ.
Advent Events
The Little Blue Book for Advent
Spend 6 minutes a day with a LITTLE BLUE BOOK. Available in the
Church Vestibule.
Advent Wreath-Making Workshop | Monday, December 1st
Bring the children after school (3:30 - 5:30pm). Sign up with Faith Formation.
Join Us Around the Advent Circle | Wednesdays and Thursdays in December
We put the coffee pot on and chat about the upcoming Sunday’s readings.
Wednesdays at 1:00pm: 12/3, 12/10, 12/17 in the Parish Center
Thursdays at 10:30am: 12/4, 12/11, 12/18 also in the Parish Center
Advent Reconciliation Service - at St. Helen’s | Tuesday, December 10th at 7:00 pm
Celebrated jointly: St Helen’s & Holy Trinity. Individual Reconciliation: every Saturday 4:30-5:00pm at Holy Trinity.
Bambinelli Blessing | Sunday, December 14th at 10:00 am Mass
Bring Baby Jesus from your home Nativity set to be blessed at the Family Mass.
The Longest Night | Friday, December 19th at 7:00 pm
Pray with us on the longest night of the year, the winter’s solace. Annually, we join with the United Methodist Church on this day to pray for those whose Christmas Season is overshadowed by sadness. This year, United Methodist Church is hosting the Longest Night.
Children’s Christmas Pageant | Friday, December 19th at 7:00 pm
Join us in the church as our Parish children bring the Nativity story to life. This cherished tradition is a beautiful way for families to celebrate the season together and share in the wonder of Christ’s birth. All are welcome to attend.
The Giving Tree | December
And, of course, there’s our Annual Christmas GIVING TREE with ways for you to bring LIGHT to others with gift cards, small gifts and adopt-a-family.*
Check out the tree in the Church Vestibule.
* To adopt-a-family, contact the Parish Office at 908-232-8137 ext. 1004
Christmas Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve - Wednesday, December 24th:
8:30 am
4:00 pm *Livestreamed
6:00 pm
10:00 pm
The choir will lead Lessons and Carols at 9:30 pm on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day - Thursday, December 25th:
8:00 am
10:00 am *Livestreamed
12:00 pm
Alternative Gift Giving at Christmas
In recent years, the Peace and Justice Committee of Holy Trinity and
Saint Helen’s has held a fair trade sale at both churches as a way to let people learn about fair trade and allow them to buy fair trade items for their own use or as gifts. This year, we are providing alternative gift-giving opportunities. Please consider one or more of these options for some of your Christmas gifts this year!
Westfield Food Pantry - The Westfield Food Pantry (https://thewestfieldnjfoodpantry.com) has proudly served the community since 1980. We serve hundreds of families and individuals a month, all referred by social service agencies, churches, and community groups in Union County. Please scan the QR Code to make a donation or drop off checks to the Rectory made payable to "Westfield Food Pantry." Please note they are now operating from 425 North Ave., East in Westfield. Phone # 908-232-2311.
Hours: Mon.- Fri. from 9:30AM – 11AM.
SERVV (http://www.serrv.org/) Serrv's unique handcrafted fair trade items come from around the world. Buy items for yourself or to give as gifts. You can even have the item shipped directly to the recipient. Find items that were in the Fair Trade Sale. Find items that were in the Fair Trade Sale as well as many other unique gifts.
Heifer International (https://www.heifer.org/) Heifer is a unique organization in that you choose an animal gift for a family in another country--families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant. You can get an honor card to give to let someone know that you gave a donation in their honor or they can get an email notification.
Catholic Relief Services (https://www.crs.org/) Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. CRS is motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching. It provides disaster relief as well as supporting development efforts. You can also choose specific gifts and get printed honor cards or email honor cards to let family or friends know that you made a gift in their name.
St. Joseph Social Service Center ( https://www.sjeliz.org/donate.html) St. Joseph Social Service Center serves the poor and homeless in the Elizabeth, NJ by providing basic human needs such as food, clothing and medications, as well as a wide range of services and programs to help them acquire the material goods and social services they need to live with integrity. St. Joseph's is a place where the homeless and the poor are welcomed as our brothers and sisters.