Hope you had a good and graceful Thanksgiving. The beautiful season of Advent has begun! It is
absolutely striking how cases of Covid-19 were on the rise last Lent and now in Advent. No
matter what happens, this pandemic will not stop the liturgical seasons of the Church. Although
many sports seasons, movies, TV sitcoms came to a crashing halt, the church did not come to a
complete standstill. Masses were offered every single day without fail whether there was a
congregation or not.
This year St. Barnabas the Apostle Church will have the Forty Hours Devotion which is forty
hours of Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament. This will take place on December 17th,
18th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd from 12:00-8:00PM. I will lead the Advent Mission this year which will
take place within Adoration on December 21st-23rd at 7:00 PM.
Just coming to Church and visiting Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, even for just a few minutes, is
time well spent. Whether you come for an hour, half hour, or just for 5 minutes and offer a
simple prayer, it is time that is graceful and most pleasing to God.
As you may expect, Confessions will be available throughout the Advent Season in the Lower
Church. Due to the additions of the Christmas Eve Mass schedule, confessions will be available
from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on December 24th. Making a good confession during Advent as we
prepare for Christmas is one of the greatest gifts you can offer Jesus.
The Christmas Eve Masses will begin at 2:00 PM both in the upper and lower Church. As a
reminder, Bishop Barres has dispensed Catholics within the Diocese of Rockville Centre from the
Sunday obligation of attending Mass. The 4:00 Christmas Eve Mass, the Midnight Mass, and the
12:00 PM Mass on Christmas Day will be live streamed.
