Mary of the Visitation Church
PO Box 100, Big Lake, MN 55309 parish@maryofthevisitation.org
TEL: 763.447.3339
FAX: 763.263.3187
Advent & Christmas Season Resources
The word advent is derived from the Latin word adventus, which means coming. During Advent, we anticipate the coming of Jesus as a baby. It’s a time of reflection, excitement, and hope as we prepare for the celebration of His birth. We also reflect on the present coming of Jesus in the Gospels, through the Sacraments, and through our own lives; and the future Final Coming of Jesus at the end of the world.

Reconciliation
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Every Saturday at 3:45 pm in the location of the weekend Mass (except April 1)
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Communal Reconciliation Service - Sunday, December 17 @ 1:30 pm at the Becker location
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Youth Cookie Sale
Our youth will be having a fundraiser with their annual cookie sale the weekend of December 16/17 after all Masses.
Simply stop by the hall after Mass, purchase a plate, and fill it up with goodies to take home!
Fair Trade Sale
The St. Cloud Mission Office is proud to be able to support our global brothers and sisters through selling their goods at a just wage and fair price, as well as to be able to sell beautiful local crafts to support the work of mission.
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We will have chocolates, coffee, and tea for sale after Masses the weekends of Dec 2/3 & Dec 9/10.
Giving Tree
We will have one tree set up at each location. The ornaments on the trees include a tag that gives the name of a charity and the item needed for that charity. Return the unwrapped items to either location with the charity tag attached by January 7.
You can also support this Outreach project by placing an envelope in the weekly offering marked Giving Tree.
Resources
Our app has 2 new buttons for Advent reflections and videos!
Dynamic Catholic's Best Advent Ever
St. Cloud Diocese Advent Prayer Guide & Journal
A Lesson in Waiting: An Advent Retreat
Advent Placemats, a Craft for Families
Advent Calendars (for adults, children, and printable)
Reimagining Advent with the Examen
Living Advent: A four-week journey (for families)
$.99 Advent Wreath, a craft for families)
A Christmas Novena (December 16-24)
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ACC Schedules
St. Andrew's, Elk River
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Sat, Dec 9 from 2:30-4pm
Tue, Dec 12 from 6:30-7:30pm
Thu, Dec 14 from 8:30-9:30am
Fri, Dec 15 from 5-6pm
Sat, Dec 16 from 2-4pm
Tue, Dec 19 from 8:30-9:30am
Wed, Dec 20 from 4-6pm
Thu, Dec 21 from 8:30-9:30am
Fri, Dec 22 from 4-6pm
Sat, Dec 23 from 2-4pm
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Christmas Liturgies:
Christmas Eve – 4pm
Christmas Morning – 8:30am & 10:30am
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Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God: January 1 @ 6pm
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*Note that the Fourth Sunday of Advent will have a 10:30am Mass only that Sunday, no 8:30am or 1:30pm Spanish Mass.
Christ our Light, Princeton/Zimmerman
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Saturdays from 4-4:30pm
Sundays from 8-8:15pm
Sat, Dec 23 from 3-4:30pm
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Reconciliation Service: Sun, Dec 10 @ 1pm
Christmas Liturgies:
Christmas Eve - 4pm & 9pm
Christmas morning: 9am