A D V E N T 2022

Fridays in Advent

Parish Advent formation - A chance to gather, grow faith & fellowship. Each Friday in advent we will gather from 7pm for a time of formation, adoration, and fellowship. Fr Godwin & Fr Jufel will provide reflections on the advent season to help us prepare for Christmas & grow in our faith, as well as spending time with Jesus in Adoration.

When - every Friday in advent (starting Fri 2 Dec).

Time - 7:00 - 8:30pm.

Where - gather in the church.

Who - Everyone is invited.

Friday, 2nd Dec, the first Parish Friday Advent Reflections starting with a talk and then Eucharistic Adoration in the Church at 7pm. This will be followed by fellowship and refreshment in the church hall afterwards. Please come and make this part of your Advent prayer and reflection. Note Parking might be an issue.

First Holy Communion Mass and Shared Meal

2nd December, 5.30pm: If you are part of the First Holy Communion Group, this event is part of your preparation to receive the Sacrament. Your family is invited too! Please bring with you some sweet and savouries to share in the hall after the Mass. Please note parking is very limited, please try and avoid using the carpark.

Day of Reflection for All Catechists

Saturday, 3rd December at Holy Family Church. More details.

Advent Penitential Service

13th December at 7pm – As Advent is a wonderful preparation for the celebration of Christmas, please consider taking some time out for prayer and reflection. There will be an opportunity to receive the power Sacrament of Reconciliation as well.

Special Novena of Masses before Christmas

Filipinos have a unique and devotional way of deepening the season of Advent, that is, through the celebration of Simbang Gabi, which translates Night Mass. It is a Novena Mass celebrated in honour of Our Lady and celebrated either in the night (Simbang Gabi) or at dawn (Misa de Gallo- Rooster’s Mass). The beginnings of Simbang Gabi in the Philippines can be traced back to 1668 when religious missionaries from Mexico brought the practice to the Philippines. Here, in Southampton, there are roughly 2000 or so Filipinos who live and work and brought with them the desire to celebrate Simbang Gabi as an anticipation for Christmas and a deep expression of their filial devotion to Our Lady, whence they are called “Pueblo Amante de Maria”, a people in love with Mary. Here in St. Boniface Church, a first-ever Simbang Gabi will be celebrated from December 15 to the Vigil Mass of December 24. All parishioners are invited to take part in this beautiful novena of Masses before Christmas.

See here for the running schedule of Simbang Gabi Masses – 15 Dec: 1st Day at 6pm; 16 Dec: 2nd Day at 6pm; 17 Dec: 3rd Day at 8pm; 18 Dec: 4th Day at 5:30pm, (Fellowship will follow in the Parish Hall); 19 Dec: 5th Day at 6pm; 20 Dec: 6th Day at 6pm; 21 Dec: 7th Day at 8pm; 22 Dec: 8th Day at 6pm; 23 Dec: 9th Day at 6pm; 24 Dec: First Christmas Vigil Mass at 6:30pm

Carols and Candles