Advent 2023 at OLPH
Daily Mass, Holy Days & Eucharistic Adoration
Daily Mass: Monday – Saturday 8:15 am (Church & Livestream)
December 8th, 2023 – The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Eve Mass on Thursday, December 7th at 5 pm
Day Masses on Friday, December 8th, at 8:15 am & 7 pm*
*Fellowship will follow the 7 pm Mass to celebrate the Solemnity.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance (Eucharistic Adoration) -Wednesdays from 9 am through Saturdays at 8 am.
Private prayer in the Chapel is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Please visit www.olphparish.org/access to gain after-hours access.
Extended Hours at OLPH
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Sacrament of Reconciliation for Advent
Every Wednesday from Dec 6 through Dec 20:
11 am – 12 -noon
6 – 7 pm
No Confession on Wednesday, Dec 28th
Every Friday from Dec 8 through Dec 22:
4-6 pm – Church
Extended Opportunity For Reconciliation
Tuesday, Dec 19: 4 -7 pm – Church
Advent Reconciliation Service
Wednesday, Dec 13, 7 pm in the Church
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
December 7 & 8
Eve Mass on Thursday, December 7th at 5 pm
Day Masses on Friday, December 8th, at 8:15 am & 7 pm*
*Fellowship to follow the 7 pm Mass to celebrate the Solemnity.
Giving Tree Program
Nov 25 & 26 | Pick up Tags
Dec 2 & 3/9 & 10 | Drop Off Gifts
You are invited to purchase Christmas presents as we do our small part to bring joy in the form of a gift to children at St. Wenceslaus in East Baltimore, St. Veronica’s in South Baltimore, the Franciscan Center, Sarah’s Hope shelter for mothers and children, and Grassroots Shelter here in Howard County. Please grab a tag this weekend and return your gift of joy to be shared this Christmas!
Tags will be available for pick up the weekend of Nov 25 & 26, and wrapped gifts may be returned on Dec 2 & 3 and Dec 9 & 10.
Gift cards need not be wrapped.
Festival of Praise
FRI. Dec 1 | 7:30 pm
Festival of Praise is an evening of Eucharistic Adoration with worship music, intercession, and prayers for healing and is open to all! Encounter the heart of Jesus through music and worship. Invite your family, friends, neighbors, and those curious about Catholicism for this evening, where we give over our hearts and believe in God. A good God, stronger than our strength, wiser than our ways, and perpetual in his love.
Women’s Ministry – Advent Retreat – “COME AWAY WITH ME” – Mark 6:31
SAT. Dec 9 (Church) | 9 am
OLPH Women and friends, save the date as an early Christmas gift as we Come Away from the busyness of life to restore and be loved by the one who loved us first. On this special day during Advent, we will nurture our souls, hearts, and bodies in time with Jesus, other women from the parish, an inspiring talk, a meal together, and so much more as we pray, reflect, and restore.
Our day will include a special guest speaker, Annie McHugh, Adoration, Music, Lunch, Prayer, Quiet Time, and special treats!
The schedule for the day:
- Church doors open for registration – 7:30 -8:10 am
- Mass – 8:15 am
- Retreat continues from 9 am – 3 pm
Breakfast with Santa
SUN. Dec 10 | 9-12 pm
Join us as the school transforms Harrison Hall into a Winter Wonderland. Children, young & old, enjoy photos with Santa, cookies, cocoa, crafts, raffle baskets, games, and a Christmas Store with a Secret Shop!
Women’s Gathering & Book Exchange
TUES. Dec 12 | 6:30 pm
Ladies of OLPH Parish, you are invited to a parishioner’s home, where we will celebrate with Christmas Cheer! Bring a side or beverage to share! Also, if you would like, please bring a favorite book from your bookshelf to participate in a book exchange. We request the books be spiritual or inspirational. Please RSVP for event location.
Advent Reconciliation Service
WED. Dec 13 | 7 pm
Join us for this special occasion, featuring visiting priests alongside Fr. Mike and Fr. Anthony, all ready to assist you in breaking free from sin through God’s mercy. Don’t miss out on the joy of being forgiven! If it has been a while since your last confession, rest assured the priest will guide you every step of the way.
For those seeking additional encouragement to prepare, a helpful tool can be found at [insert link]: https://www.kofc.org/en/resources/cis/devotionals/2075.pdf.
Come and embrace the season with a cleansed spirit, ready to welcome the joy of Christmas.
Family Holy Hour
FRI. Dec. 15 | 6 pm
Families of young children are welcome to join us in the church for praise and worship before the Blessed Sacrament.
Boxes for Baltimore
Dec 16 & 17 | Drop off Boxes
Please help us bring JOY to those experiencing homelessness in Baltimore City by participating in OLPH’s SALT Ministry’s Boxes for Baltimore program. Assemble a box using the shopping list (or two or twenty) with your family, friends, small groups, or neighbors! Deliver the assembled and wrapped boxes to the OLPH Parish Center (Upper Level) during the weekend Masses of December 16 & 17, 2023. Please let us know your contact name and how many boxes you hope to make. For more info about the program, please visit www.olphparsh.org/boxes.
Blessing of Bambinelli
Dec 17 & 18 | Weekend Masses
Bring the baby Jesus from your Nativity to be blessed at all the 4th Sunday of Advent Masses on Dec. 17/18 as we continue this beautiful Church tradition that began with the Popes in Rome.
Handbell Concert – Christmas Memories
WED. Dec 17 | 2 pm
The Canterbury Ringers is an English Handbell Ensemble founded in 1994. This performance is open to the public, and we invite music lovers of all ages to attend this holiday concert at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Ellicott City to enjoy Christmas music from the past and present. Admission is free, with freewill donations accepted. Check out the Canterbury Ringers YouTube Channel to preview this ensemble’s wonderful talents.https://www.youtube.com/@thecanterburyringers4746
Blue Christmas Prayer Service
MON. Dec 18 | 7 pm
MON. Dec 18 | 7 pm
Christmas is supposed to be a joyful season, but perhaps this past year has brought the loss of a loved one, a marriage, or a job. Join us for a prayer service in the Church or by livestream at 7 pm, where we will acknowledge that God’s presence is in the midst of our pain. A time of light refreshments and fellowship will follow.
Christmas Family Dinner Night
SAT. Jan 6, 2024 | 5 PM – 8 PM
Join us for the much-anticipated annual Parish Family Dinner Night as we come together to commemorate the conclusion of the Christmas season. While the delectable dinner menu is still in the works, mark your calendars for a delightful evening on Saturday, January 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm in the Parish Center gym. Save the date, and let’s make this celebration a joyous gathering for our parish community. All are welcome! Free Will Offering Accepted.
OLPH Christmas Mass Schedule 2023
Christmas Eve | Sunday, Dec 24
4 pm – Church & Gym (Livestream)
6 pm – Church
8 pm – Church
Midnight – Church
Christmas Day | Monday, Dec 25
9 am – Church (Livestream)
There will be NO 7:30 am, 11 am, or 5:00 pm Mass on Dec. 25
No Confessions on Dec 27
New Year’s, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God*
New Year’s Eve – Sunday, December 31, 2023
5:00 pm, Church
7:00 pm, Church (Livestream) – Vigil Mass for the Solemnity
8:00 pm to Midnight – Eucharistic Adoration until Midnight Benediction
New Year’s Day – Monday, January 1, 2024
9:00 am – Mass for the Solemnity (Livestream)
*Note: Not a holy day of obligation in 2024
* HIGH MASS – We will set aside one Mass with additional time to worship through music and prayer for Solemnity Masses. Then, following the Mass, we will gather for a time of fellowship and fun together to celebrate this feast day.
Our first High Masses during Advent will be Dec. 7th at 7 pm.