Catch us church-workers in a cheeky mood and you'll hear us debate about the color of this weekend's candle and vestments. 

Most people just say "It's the pink week" but some of us in the Church will say, "No! It's the rose week." 

These kinds of debates are for the people who really get upset about the difference in the taste of Pepsi or Coke or need to distinguish between Country music and Western music. It's pedantic at best. 

The history of why it is "rose" and not "pink" requires a few jumps in our liturgical timeline because Advent didn't always have a "pink" week it. It was added in recent centuries. Many centuries before however, the season of Lent did had a "pink" week rooted in a rich cultural history.  

In the season of Lent, there is a Sunday known as "Laetare Sunday" which marks the half way point through Lent. As a sign of hope, and a bit of relief from the dread of fasting and repenting, the pope had a tradition of giving a pink rose to the citizens of Rome. We don't know exactly when it started, but by the 11'th century, the pope had described it as "an ancient tradition." 

That's where the debate between "pink" and "rose" starts. It is in fact a "rose" that besets the custom, but the nature of the rose was "pink." 

Later in the development of the Church's traditions, it was thought that Advent should also have a similar demarcation as Lent did and so the tradition was copied. Since both Advent and Lent are penitential seasons, the custom of having a bit of relief from all the dread and fasting and repenting was copied from Lent to Advent. It also gave a second chance to use the vestments that were pink... I mean rose... to be used by the priests and deacons. 

The template seemed to fit the third Sunday of Advent which is also known as "Gaudete Sunday." Gaudete means "rejoice" and is heard in the readings for the third Sunday of Advent. The reminder that we have permission to rejoice is the important thing to remember. We are near to Christmas and the growth of hope and coming of joy should be reaching a tipping point. 

All in all, I'm reminded of the Shakespearean quote from Romeo and Juliet, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." It's probably a lot less important what we call something, so long as we get the meaning. 

Christmas is almost here! Let us rejoice and be glad!

Free Throw Contest

The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring their 29th annual free throw contest in the gymnasium on Sunday, December 15 following the 11am Mass. This fun event is open to all children ages 9-14. Contestants should bring the attached registration form.  The winners of the local contest then advance to a District, Regional and State Level contest.  

Bulldog Buddies

Registration for the winter Bulldog Buddies session is open. We look forward to welcoming our Bulldog Buddies on Tuesday, January 7. Bulldog Buddies is a class for children  who turn two years old by September 1, 2024.  Our teachers and curriculum offer children the opportunity to experience our school setting in a safe, nurturing environment along with their caregivers. More information is attached. Bulldog Buddies Registration 

Come Join Us!

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