St. Peter Celestine Church is known for its fine building and its superb original interior décor
intact from 1892 – one of three churches in Canada known to retain Classic Italianate decoration.
Adoration, Confession and Rosary
1st Sunday of the Month, Adoration & Confession 8:15am – 8:45am.
The Rosary (all other Sundays) 8:30am – 8:50am. Mass 9am.
Beginning Sunday, Dec 3rd to Sunday, Dec 17th,
the church will collect non-perishable food items
for the Lanark County Food Bank.
Baskets are located at the tables at the back pews.
Donated food items will be delivered during the week prior to Christmas.
➤ Food Bank top 10
Please be generous this Advent in helping those
in our community who are in need. Thank you.”
Christmas Concert – “Tidings of Joy”
featuring the Arnprior Community Choir
Dec 14th 7pm – tickets $15
Christmas / New Year Mass schedule
Sunday obligation
Sat Dec 23 – 6 pm Mass
Sun Dec 24 – NO morning Mass
Christmas obligation
Sun Dec 24 – Christmas Eve Mass – 7 pm
OR Mon Dec 25 – Christmas Day Mass – 9 am
Sunday obligation
Sun Dec 31 – 9 am Mass
Holy day of obligation
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – Mon Jan 01 – 9 am Mass
The Immaculate Conception – December 8th
The Immaculate Conception means that Mary, whose conception was brought about the normal way, was conceived without original sin or its stain—that’s what “immaculate” means: without stain. The essence of original sin consists in the deprivation of sanctifying grace, and its stain is a corrupt nature. Mary was preserved from these defects by God’s grace; from the first instant of her existence she was in the state of sanctifying grace and was free from the corrupt nature original sin brings.
Mary at the moment of her conception, was not only protected from contracting original sin but also personal sin. The Catechism explains:
493 The Fathers of the Eastern tradition call the Mother of God “the All-Holy” (Panagia), and celebrate her as “free from any stain of sin, as though fashioned by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new creature”. By the grace of God Mary remained free of every personal sin her whole life long. “Let it be done to me according to your word. . .”
When discussing the Immaculate Conception, an implicit reference may be found in the angel’s greeting to Mary. The angel Gabriel said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28)
December – month dedicated to Advent
Christ’s Second Coming
Advent. For many people, the word just means “shopping; traffic; a lot of work.” But that’s not the real Advent, the Advent given to us by the Church.
Advent is the liturgical season that prepares us for both the celebration of the Incarnation at Christmas and for Christ’s Second Coming. As the New Catholic Encyclopedia explains, during Advent, the faithful are asked “to prepare themselves worthily to celebrate the anniversary of the Lord’s coming into the world as the incarnate God of love; thus to make their souls fitting abodes for the Redeemer coming in Holy Communion and through grace; and thereby to make themselves ready for His final coming as judge, at death and at the end of the world.”
Advent, then, is the time for us to reflect on the mysteries we will joyfully celebrate at Christmas: the Saviour’s humble birth, His glorious return, and his continual presence among us through the Church and the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist.
This Advent, cut back on some of the shopping and secular whirlwind. Ask yourself, “How can we best prepare for Jesus’ coming? What are some customs and practices that can help us live the spirit of Advent and prepare our souls so our celebration of Christmas is truly joyful and Christ-centered?”
The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for rejoice, and this Sunday is the time for us to rejoice because Jesus came and died so that we may live forever with him!