Dear Fellow Parishioners,

We’re so close to Christmas now! This is the Fourth and last Sunday of Advent. In this week’s Gospel we hear how the angel Gabriel came to Mary as a messenger from God and we have a song that we only sing this time of year that you may not be as familiar with called ‘The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came’. I found a great version of it by the Good Shepherd Band called ‘Gabriel’s Message’ https://youtu.be/dQ5wmFi9sfA. The lyrics for this and all other songs for this Sunday can be found in this attachment.

The first two songs that I have to share this week are both general Advent songs. The first is very short: ‘While We Are Waiting, Come’ a traditional hymn sung by the First Plymouth Church in Lincoln, Nebraska  https://youtu.be/dwwLnPyxuSM

The second is a contemporary song by Christy Nockels, ‘Waiting Here for You’ https://youtu.be/Xy9jRA3K2SI

This song you may have have heard the choir sing, ‘Emmanuel’ (Ambrosetti)  https://youtu.be/yHpuC5qg7Ww

The last two beautiful songs focus on Mary and how she might have felt to be chosen to be the mother of our Lord, the fear and anxiety that she overcame to accept God’s will. The first you have probably heard before:
‘Breath of Heaven’ sung by Amy Grant  https://youtu.be/L8_475FKJWQ

The second is one I haven’t come across before: ‘Be Born in Me’ sung by Francesca Bastistelli https://youtu.be/yOPHkvbdOpw

I hope you enjoy them all and that all my choices for Advent have enhanced your preparation for the coming of our Lord. May God bless you and keep you safe and grant you a very merry Christmas.

Janis Cantú

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

We’re now half way through Advent. So hard to believe! Christmas will be here in no time! I hope you’re all more ready than I am. The music this week should be familiar, most of it is very traditional. The only one that’s newer is ‘Waiting in Silence’ https://youtu.be/bg8XCxUtKec. The choirs have sung it for the last three years, but you may have missed it. It’s lovely and this version is beautiful. The words for this song and all the others for this week can be found in this attachment.

This week’s Gospel is once again about John the Baptist, so I’m sharing the following bluegrass song: ‘John the Baptist’ by the Christian Troubadours.  https://youtu.be/8GEAbpVY3z4 and another carrying John’s message, ‘Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding’  https://youtu.be/dZnabxcayqc

Interestingly, this week, in place of a psalm, the responsorial is based on verses from the first chapter in St. Luke’s Gospel when Mary is visiting her cousin Elizabeth and she offers the prayer that we call the Magnificat. I’m including here a few musical versions of that prayer. The first is ‘Magnificat’ by Lori True https://youtu.be/kzQJxC-3XIw.  The next is ‘Magnificat– Mary’s Prayer’ by Donna Cori https://youtu.be/h-Hrrw_FAyU . The last of these is this very traditional, ‘Magnificat Gregoriano’ https://youtu.be/SLUZM3nJ4sg

The last two songs I want to share with you this week are like bridges between Advent and Christmas, reminding us what we are waiting for:

‘The People Who Walked in Darkness’ https://youtu.be/2kKBf_4EHvU
‘One Still Night’ sung by Sovereign Grace https://youtu.be/gHEXlSQRFCo

I hope you enjoy them all. God bless you and keep you safe,

Janis Cantú

Please help us in planning for Christmas Masses in this crazy year by letting us know your plans for Christmas Eve/Christmas Day Mass! Because of the restrictions and being outside, we need to be more intentional about our planning this year so that we can have a safe and beautiful weekend of Christmas Masses!

THIS IS NOT AN RSVP! You will not be turned away from Mass! This is just to help us coordinate everything so that the space is prepared for our great parish community!

There is also a handwritten questionnaire being passed out at Mass, but if you can do this online one, it makes it a little easier for us! Either way, please only fill out one questionnaire! We don’t want any duplicates throwing the numbers off! Thank you!

Please fill this out by Monday December 21st!

Here is the link to the questionnaire:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScu1fb-PWspADHjuxTl9mVSM0_q_hMWzkWeqJd3gw9-WF-wLA/viewform

Thank you so much for your help and God Bless you!

God Bless,

Pat Gunning
Youth Minister
Sacred Heart Church of Ocean Beach
4776 Saratoga Ave
San Diego, CA 92107
http://sacredheartob.org/youth-ministry/

“The Glory of God is man fully alive.”–St. Irenaeus
AMDG

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

Here we are: already at the 2nd Sunday of Advent! This week’s music for Mass should be familiar for those of you who attended the 8 am or 10 am Mass. The lyrics for this week can be found in this attachment.

The First Reading and the Gospel both talk about ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert.’ So my first musical choice to share is
‘A Voice Cries Out’ by Michael Joncas. https://youtu.be/J6TIyKn-Z3g

Also based on the First Reading:
‘Every Valley Shall Be Exalted’ (Handel; from theMessiah)
https://youtu.be/vCLUhVkCoPE?t=49

These are two songs based on John the Baptist’s message:
‘Prepare the Way’ by Eric Nuzum https://youtu.be/IOMyJ0IoVjw
‘Prepare the Way of the Lord’ by Nathaniel Cabanero
https://youtu.be/gZqpwaiWWok

‘Advent Song: Waiting for Christmas’ https://youtu.be/sp6OWxt2Rew

And then just for fun, a song by Kenny Rogers and Home Free, ‘Children, Go Where I send Thee.’ https://youtu.be/o4qNaAlZ1xc This song fills me with joy!

Tuesday is a Holy Day of Obligation, The Feast of the Immaculate Conception. We will be streaming the 7pm mass. Don’t forget to check it out!

Have a blessed week and stay safe out there!

Janis Cantú

A reminder that THIS SUNDAY is the tree pickup for the Christmas Tree Fundraiser! The tree lot will be open 8:30 AM – 1 PM in the Church parking lot. You can swing by either on Saratoga Ave or through the alley where the entrance to the parking lot is!

NOTE: Please park on the street for the 8:00AM and 10:00AM Masses this Sunday!

Pickup trucks are easiest, but we can tie the tree to the roof of your car, too!

Thank you all so much for your support of our youth ministry here at Sacred Heart. Your donation makes a difference in leading teens closer to Christ, and that changes not just the world, but eternity. Thank you again! See you all Sunday, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Warm Regards,
Santa Clause and his Summit Youth Ministry Elves