Edmonton at Christmas time
By Zdenko Kahlina
December 24, 2009
Christmas And Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
St. Joseph‘s Basilica.
St. Joseph‘s Basilica last night
Little Jesus in the manger.
Christmas is a very special time of the year for all Christians and a tradition for many families is to celebrate an ‘Evening’ or ‘Midnight’ Mass at the Basilica. My family has a tradition to attend midnight mass at the St. Joseph’s basilica.
The Edmonton Catholics who built St. Joseph’s Basilica know all about tradition and patience. The grand building at 10044 113th Street was erected some 45 years ago, but the dream actually began nearly 50 years before that when St. Joseph’s parish was founded.
I feel that basilica is the most Catholic Church there is in Edmonton. That’s the only church here that compares to the Cathedral in Zagreb (Croatia) where we were married some 35 years ago.
Christmas Eve
Basilica was packed with Christians
Basilica was packed with Christians
On this Thursday, December 24, there were three scheduled ceremonies thru the evening:
7:00 p.m. Archbishop-Emeritus Joseph MacNeil
9:30 p.m. Rev. Adam J. Lech
12:00 (midnight) Archbishop Richard Smith
I attended the 9:30 mass. As usual basilica there were hundreds of people and the ceremony was simple and beautiful. That’s exactly what brings me to this place every year.
Midnight Mass at basilica
9:30 p.m. Rev. Adam J. Lech
Rev. Adam J. Lech during his Mass
Christmas Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 24, 2009
7:00 p.m. Archbishop-Emeritus Joseph MacNeil
9:30 p.m. Rev. Adam J. Lech
12:00 (midnight) Archbishop Richard Smith
Christmas Day
Friday, December 25, 2009
Basilica will be opened from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
10:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
5:00 p.m. – One Mass only
Feast of the Holy Family
Sunday, December 27, 2009
5:00 pm (Sat.) 8:30 am 10:30 am 12:15 pm 5:00 pm
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
January 1, 2010
New Year’s Day
Although every Sunday of the year is The Lord’s Day, when the Father calls us together to listen to His Word, when we give Him thanks as we remember His wonderful works in Christ, when He nourishes us with the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, there are other Feast Days or Holy Days of Obligation, namely:
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day— The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
January 1 has also been designated as “World Day of Prayer for Peace” when the Church encourages us to pray for peace in the world, for love and good will among all nations, and for light and guidance for civil leaders.
Singing at the midnight Mass
REFLECTION
The news of the awesome event of Our Saviour’s birth again sounds throughout the world. Countless generations before us dating back 2000 years, have been inspired and completely renewed in the coming of the Son of God.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shone.”
The Light is birth of the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Christmas is for the “Children of God”. That is for all of us, both young and old. The Grace of Christmas is our gift, meant to transform our hearts and our lives. If we welcome Jesus, and follow Him sincerely, the light of Christ will illumine our pathways of life.
May Jesus our Lord, Savior and Friend, be born once again in our Hearts and in our homes this Christmas. May we share Jesus, the One whom we celebrate in our living and in our association with others. Like Jesus may we be gentle, kind, honest, just and a bearer of peace.
May this Christmas be peace-filled and joyous as you gather with your families and loved ones.
We wish you a Blessed Christmas and
God’s Blessings in the New Year.
Tags: Edmonton
