Advent celebration awakens 'reason for the season' at Sacred Heart
By Contributor
Ruth Dubois loved the Christmas season and all that it entailed. However, the long time Rosslander and Parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish was finding that the closer December 25th came, the more busy she was becoming with concerts, parties, shopping.
“It was hard to stay focussed on what Christmas is really about”, she says.
Fast forward to 2012 and the 9th annual Advent celebration at Sacred Heart Parish.
“We wanted the event to be a spiritual and musical reflection of what this season means for Christians,” she says, “and we wanted it to be inclusive of all the Christian faiths of our community.”
As a result, the hour long celebration includes choirs of the Catholic and United churches of Rossland.
“The celebration is open to people of all faiths,” says Dubois, “but our focus is primarily on Christianity and its rich history with Christmas.”
Reflections, prayers and music make up the bulk of the evening. The event also includes a cash collection which will go to Rossland’s food bank.
“In the beginning, we had a collection which went various charities in the area, but for the past 4 years, the money has stayed in Rossland,” says Dubois proudly: “last year we raised over $600 for our local food bank.”
While Dubois has been the major force in planning the event, she stresses that it is a collaboration, with people of the community coming together and offering their talents, be it for music, reading, decorating, serving or simply attending.
This year’s celebration will be Thursday December 6 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
“We realize how busy this time of year is for people, so we try to keep it under an hour”. Dubois also points out that it happens early in the season “before the chaos begins” she laughs.
When: Thursday December 6, -7:00 p.m.
Where: Sacred Heart Church, Rossland
Admission: free. There will be a silver collection for the Rossland food bank.
Baking and hot chocolate following the celebration. All are welcome.
