Chaplain’s Corner – December ’25 – Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon

Advent and the Coming of Christ

Can you believe another year has flown by?

The exciting part is that in the remarkable journey of liturgical living, there is no end — only a beautiful cycle of new beginnings. The liturgical year wraps around us like a warm hug, making it truly feel like home. Every year, God blesses us with fresh insights and awakenings.

Graph depicting the liturgical cycle with colors and images for each time period

This year, I wholeheartedly invite you to join me in exploring the scriptures, celebrating feasts, and connecting with a saint who is eager to hear from you and pray alongside you. Here’s to an inspiring and uplifting journey through the liturgical year — let’s embark on this adventure together, now and always!

Wishing you a wonderful journey through the liturgical year, now and always.

Melissa McCoy

Melissa McCoy
Maryville Chaplain

December Notes

Mass is open to residents, families and friends. It is offered at 10 a.m. in the Chapel Sunday to Friday. Residents and families can also tune to Maryville channel 63 to participate from their rooms.
Liturgical color – Purple for the season of Advent / Pink for Guadete Sunday / White for Christmas
Dec. 8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Dec. 12 – Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Dec. 25 – Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Dec. 28 – Feast of the Holy Innocents

St. Nicholas – Feast day Dec. 6

Dec. 6 marks the joyful feast day of St. Nicholas, who lived from around 270 to 343. While he is widely cherished, there is so much we still do not know about Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra.

There are numerous captivating myths surround his life, including miraculous tales, such as the one where he is said to have raised three young boys from the dead!

Among the most famous stories is the one about a father struggling to provide for his daughters. In a beautiful act of generosity, St. Nicholas secretly delivered gold coins that served as dowries for each girl. Some accounts tell of him tossing coins through the windows, while others say he placed them in the girls’ shoes left out to dry.

Regardless of the variations, one thing shines through: St. Nicholas’s deep love for God and his commitment to helping others. Let’s capture the spirit of generosity together!

Ways to Celebrate Advent

Light an Advent Wreath: Advent wreaths are a traditional symbol of the season, and they are often lit on the first Sunday of Advent.
Pray: You can pray each night of Advent, focusing on the themes for each week. Additionally, consider praying for a specific person or ministry each day.
Read Scripture: Reflect on how God has worked to save us through Jesus by reading daily Gospel readings.
Use an Advent Calendar: An Advent calendar can help you mark the days leading up to Christmas.
Use Christmas Cards: Place Christmas cards in a basket and pray for the person or family represented on each card.
Fast: Consider fasting from noise, anxiety, and media to create space for prayer.
Setup an Advent Garland: Cut out 24 strips of green and red construction paper. On each strip, write the name of a family member, friend, or ministry. Staple the strips together to create one long garland, and hang it up as decoration. Each day, remove one strip and pray for the person or ministry listed.

No matter how you celebrate, embrace the season with an open heart that is full of enthusiasm and anticipation.

Chaplain’s Corner – December ’25