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Advent: A Season of Expectant Hope and Renewal

As we enter the holy season of Advent, we are invited to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ with a spirit of joyful anticipation. Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas; it is a journey that beckons us to slow down and contemplate God’s immense love for us. In this season, we recall the longing of the people of Israel, who awaited the promised Messiah, and we recognize our own need to wait with expectant hope for Christ’s return.

Advent calls us to embrace each week with a particular focus: hope, peace, joy, and love. In a world that often feels rushed and troubled, these themes remind us to root ourselves in Christ’s promises. Through hope, we learn to trust God’s plan, even in uncertainty. Through peace, we allow Christ to calm our hearts and fill our lives with His presence. Through joy, we find strength in God’s goodness, no matter our circumstances. And through love, we are called to open our hearts to others, sharing His love in our communities and families.

As we light each candle on the Advent wreath, may it remind us of our journey toward the light of Christ. Let us take time for prayer, Scripture reading, and acts of kindness as ways to invite Christ into our lives more fully. In this way, our Advent journey becomes one of renewal, inviting Christ to enter not only our hearts but also every aspect of our lives.

As Christmas draws near, let us welcome the Lord with a heart that has been made new in love and service, ready to celebrate the joy of His birth with renewed faith, gratitude, and purpose.
Fr. Sibi

POTLUCK EVENING LAST SUNDAY

A great THANK YOU to everyone who contributed a meal, and too all who attended our Potluck dinner last Sunday after Mass – there was not an open seat to be found with many new faces at the tables. And in the spirit of Winter the younger generation could not resist the temptation to have snow fights….thanks again !

ADVENT RETREAT

21 persons registered for the Advent Retreat this year which took place at Mariastein Abbey on Sunday 1st December. Wishing all participants a Blessed Journey to the Heart of Christmas.

ADVENT’S HOLY LIGHT- A Candle Lighting Ceremony for Advent

Following the Introductory Rites at Mass during Advent we will have a short ceremony for the lighting of the Advent Candles. A family from our Community will be invited to the Altar to light the Advent Candle each week while the Choir and Congregation sing the refrain (be sure to collect the music and responses when you collect your Hymn book)

TRAVELLING CRIB

The Travelling Crib, as a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem reminds us of the nature of hospitality, the arduous aspect of journey and provides an opportunity to meet other members of our community.

A nativity scene – The Travelling Crib – will be blessed in church this Sunday and Family Reyes/Sy will then host the Crib for the start of its journey, staying at hopefully many of our communities’ homes and at the same time allowing our community to grow together in fellowship as we share a simple meal or cup of coffee when handing over the crib.

For those who still wish to sign up, you have the opportunity to do so at Mass this Sunday where the Reservations List will be available on the Noticeboard at the back of the Church and thereafter contact info@esrccb.org, you will be then added to the online Google sheet.

ADVENT GIVING TREE PROJECT

Our community, together with the Spanish community will once again manage the Advent Giving Tree Project through which you can give a simple gift to refugees housed in Basel. Beginning this Sunday 1st December, you will find a small Christmas tree on the altar decorated with tags indicating the types of gifts refugees require (e.g. gloves, socks, hand cream etc.). Please take a tag hanging from the Advent tree, purchase the gift and return it to the box adjacent to the tree wrapped and with the tag on the outside by Sunday 15 December. Through the generosity of our communities, OeSA (Ecumenical Pastoral Ministry for Asylum seekers) will distribute the gifts at a Christmas Party at the OeSA support centre on Christmas Day.

ADVENT REFLECTIONS

The booklet, Advent Extra – your journey to Christmas – a Pilgrimage of Hope – containing daily reflections and prayers will be available at Mass on 1st Sunday of Advent. Please take a copy with you this Sunday (1 per family).

ADVENT CHARITY

For over 50 years, the Switzerland-wide Chocolate Heart campaign “A Heart for the Children of Bethlehem” has been supporting the children’s hospital in Bethlehem/Palestine in order to offer support to sick children and their families. It is the only children’s hospital in the West Bank. Amid violence and increasing poverty due to the ongoing Gaza war, it remains a place of security for numerous Palestinian families. After Mass on Sunday 8th December our RE Classes will be selling Chocolate Hearts for CHF5-00 in support of the hospital. Thank you for your support in this campaign.

INTERNATIONAL PEACE LIGHT – Bring along a Lantern-

The Light of Peace from the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem aims to motivate people to make a simple but personal contribution to dialogue and peace between Christmas and New Year. ‘Peace on earth to men of good will’ proclaimed the angel to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus. The Light of Peace also wants to carry this message out into the world today – across all social, religious and political boundaries. A LIGHT – as a sign of PEACE – is passed on from person to person and yet always remains the same LIGHT. The Peace Light shines in over 30 countries at Christmas time. And in 2024 for the 32nd time in Switzerland. The Peace Light will arrive at our Mass on the 3rd Sunday in Advent, under the motto ‘Giving hope’. Bring along a Lantern to Mass and help spread the Light of Peace.

ADVENT CONFESSIONS

Father Sibi will be available in the Chapel at BK on Sunday 15th and 22nd December from 16.30 until 17.10 to hear Confessions.

NATIVITY PLAY FOR CHRISTMAS MASS

Over the years we have always had the younger members of our community enact, in their own enchanting way, the Nativity during the reading of the Gospel at Christmas Mass. We would love to continue this tradition but are in need of an Adult coordinator. If you would be interested in undertaking this little project for this year please contact a Council member at Mass or via info@esrccb.org or via the form https://forms.gle/m4mfk7TUgVAoHH5o6

As always, the collection taken at Christmas Mass, as part of the Bishop’s Appeal, is in aid of the Children’s Hospital in Bethlehem, together with the proceeds from the Chocolate Hearts. Thanks for your support for this worthy cause.

FESTIVE SEASON ENGLISH MASS TIMES @ BRUDERKLAUS

Wednesday 25th December – Christmas Mass at 17.30. After Mass Coffee and Christmas cookies will be served.
Sunday 29th December – The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Mass at 17.30
Wednesday 1st January 2025 – Feast of Mary the Holy Mother of God Mass at 17.30. After Mass Glühwein and Stollen will be served.

NOT FORGETTING….

Dress warmly… as the heating in the Church may be reduced to save energy.
Thank you….to all our many Volunteers who serve our community each week
Happy Holidays… We wish all community members a Blessed Advent and Christ-filled Christmas. Go well, travel safely, stay healthy and take time to slow down and rest.

The Nursery for babies and toddlers is in the Pre-sacristy room. Our Word of God program is tailored for children aged 4 to 7 years. It is offered during our weekly Mass on Sundays at 17.30. The children are invited downstairs before the Liturgy of the Word and return before the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The children are taught a Bible story (usually related to the Sunday readings), recite the Our Father, and complete a simple craft or word puzzle