Christmas Mass Times

Monday, Dec. 24, 2012

3:00 p.m. Children's Nativity Story

4:00 p.m. Children's Mass of Christmas

5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass of Christmas

7:30 p.m. Vigil Mass of Christmas

9:30 p.m. Choral Concert

10:00 p.m. Vigil Mass of Christmas

Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012

7:00 a.m. Mass of Christmas

8:30 a.m. Mass of Christmas

10:00 a.m. Mass of Christmas

12:15 p.m. Mass of Christmas

Christmas 2010

Christmas Eve - Friday, December 24
3:00 p.m. Children’s Nativity Story
4:00 p.m. Children’s Mass
5:30 p.m. Mass of Christmas
7:30 p.m. Mass of Christmas
9:30 p.m. Choir Carol Program
10:00 p.m. Mass of Christmas

Christmas Day—Saturday, December 25
7:00, 8:30, 10:00 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. (No 5:30 p.m. Mass)

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph—Sunday, December 26
7:00, 8:30, 10:00 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. (No 5:30 p.m. Youth Mass)

Mary Mother of God (Not a Holy Day of Obligation this year)
Friday, December 31 – 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass
Saturday, January 1 —9:00 a.m.

The Epiphany of the Lord
Saturday, January 1—5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass
Sunday, January 2—7:00, 8:30, 10:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Open Call For Assumption’s Live Reenactment of the Nativity Story!

Join us on Friday, December 24th at 3:00 p.m. at Assumption Church as the children of the parish reenact the nativity story just before the children’s Christmas Eve Liturgy. Children are needed to volunteer for the various parts for this special parish-wide event.

General sign-ups are now being held via email
Christmas@assumptionparish.org

The parts are as follows:
Stars – Open to all Toddlers, Pre-schoolers & older – Stars on a stick to be decorated by the younger parishioners and their families. Bring the stars to the Nativity Story and hold them up high when the star is released during the program. Stars & Sticks to be provided during general sign ups.

Sheep - Open to all children grades Pre K 4 and older. Costume cut-outs will be available in the community room during general sign-ups. Children decorate and add their own finishing touches at home.

Angels – Open to all children First grade and older. Parents are responsible for providing costumes.
Shepherds – Open to all children Second grade and older. Parents are responsible for providing costumes.

Greeters – Open to all children Third grade and older. No costume required.

Bell Choir - Open to all children Fourth grade and older and given on a first-come, first-served basis. No costume required. Your child must be able to attend a rehearsal on Thursday, December 16 @ 4:00 p.m. in Assumption Church.

Readers and Costumed Main Cast - A limited number of readings and main cast parts are available for children Fifth grade and older and will be selected in advance by lottery.
Once lottery selections are made participants, will be informed early in December prior to the rehearsal date. Your child must be able to attend a rehearsal on Thursday, December 16 @ 4:00 p.m. in Assumption Church. ALL REQUESTS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2010.

Candle Bearers – Sixth grade & older - Candle bearers will take part in a special procession during the Silent Night meditation. Your child must be able to attend a rehearsal on Thursday, December 16 @ 4:00 p.m. in Assumption Church.QUESTIONS: Email us at Christmas@assumptionparish.org

Oplatki. . . a Polish/Slovak Christmas Tradition

On the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) we distributed Oplatki to each family in our parish. A part of the Polish/Slovak family Christmas Tradition is the breaking the Christmas Wafer (Oplatek in Polish pronounced oh-pwah-tek) during the Christmas Eve Vigil Feast of Wigilia, the holiest of all the nights of the year in the Polish home, as their ancestors before them have done during the Christmas Celebration uniting the past with the present….heaven with earth.

The Sacred white wafer, much like those used for Holy Communion (unleavened wafers baked from pure wheat flour and water), are shared with each person present. The wafers are embossed with elegant Christmas related religious images. Family members and friends break off a piece of oplatek and give it to one another to eat. During the exchange best wishes and blessings are expressed as well as forgiveness. The breaking and exchanging part of oplatek is intended to remind participants of the importance of Christmas, God, and family. This is the most emotional time of the holiday for the Polish family – the sharing expression of love and forgiveness in celebration and tradition.

The Vigil revolves around the importance of the Christmas Wafer. It literally unites family wherever they are on the Earth. Christmas Wafers have been mailed to each other during the holy season to solidify family unity. Send a package of oplatki to a loved one today to continue sharing this yearly ritual and rich heritage.

Open Call for Assumption's Live Reenactment of the Nativity Story on Christmas Eve

Children of the parish: Join us on Thursday, December 24th at 3:00 p.m. at Assumption Church as we reenact the nativity story just prior to the 3:30 p.m. children’s Christmas Eve Liturgy. Children are needed to volunteer for the various parts for this special parish-wide event. General sign-ups will be held in the community room after all of the masses during the weekend of November 14th & 15th. For more information look for the red flyer at the doors of the church.