Advent & Christmas 2026:
Pause, Breathe, and Prepare at
Saint Clement Parish in Chicago
A Sacred Pause in Joyful Hope
The Gift of Advent
The weeks before Christmas can fill up fast. This Advent, we invite you to step away from the noise and hurry and discover a different way to prepare. Advent isn’t one more demand on your busy life. It’s a sacred pause, a chance to breathe deeply, open your heart, and ready yourself to welcome the Lord.
Week by week, the Sunday Scriptures call us to stay watchful, make room for conversion, rejoice that God is near, and answer with Mary’s trusting “yes.” Through prayer and patient waiting, we prepare not only to celebrate Christ’s birth, but also to recognize how He comes among us today.
Beginning November 29, the First Sunday of Advent, we enter this season together as a community. Whether you’re feeling rushed, weary, or simply ready for something more, you’re invited to pause, breathe, and prepare with us at Saint Clement Parish.
Are You Ready?
First Week of Advent | Nov. 29-Dec. 5
“Be watchful! Be alert!” Jesus opens Advent with a wake-up call. Being ready doesn’t mean predicting when Christ will come. It means noticing that He may already be approaching us through an unexpected person, a responsibility, or an invitation. And as St. Paul reminds us, God has already given us the grace we need to stay ready.
The Little Blue Book
Begin each day of Advent with a pause. The Little Blue Book is a companion for daily prayer and reflection, designed to help you slow down, pray, and notice God’s presence in your everyday life. Pick up your copy in the back of church beginning Nov. 21/22.
Jesse Tree (begins Nov. 28/29; gifts due Friday, Dec. 11)
Christ often comes to us through the people we least expect. Through the Jesse Tree, our annual Advent Giving Tree, parishioners can extend Christ’s love to others by supporting local organizations with clothing, toys, and gift cards. Each tag taken from the trees in the church or chapel represents a person or family we lift up in love and generosity this season.
Advent Wreath Blessing (date TBA)
Bring your home Advent wreath to church to be blessed, a simple yet powerful way to begin the season and make room for Christ in your home. Each week as you light a new candle, let it be a moment to pause and prepare together.
Advent Healing & Reconciliation Service (Thursday, Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m.)
Set down what weighs on you and let Christ meet you with His mercy. Join us for a peaceful evening of prayer, including Vespers (Evening Prayer), as we encounter God’s mercy and begin anew through the sacraments of healing: reconciliation (confession) and anointing of the sick.
Moments of Joy and Community
Advent also invites us to pause for joy—to delight in the simple moments that remind us of God’s goodness.
Breakfast and photos with Santa at our Jingle & Mingle (Dec. 7) brings together the young and the young at heart for a morning of laughter, pancakes, and Christmas wonder. It takes a lot of elves to put on our event, so if you’re interested in volunteering at brunch or volunteering for the gym activities, we would appreciate your help! Please note - Pre-sale registration for the brunch closes at 3 p.m. Friday 12/5. Walk-ins are welcome to the event, but if joining for brunch, walk-in guests may be asked to wait for a later seating time depending on availability.
As the season unfolds, our Growing in Grace ministry for those ages 55+ gathers for their event, “Golden Gifts: Finding Grace in What We’ve Received” (Dec. 13), sharing stories of grace and gratitude, recognizing how God’s goodness has been revealed in the ordinary and the unexpected. They’ll gather for conversation, creativity, and Christmas blessings (and are invited to bring cookies or a treat to share!).
And on Gaudete Sunday (Dec. 14)—a day of rejoicing—we invite you to join us for Mass wearing a festive Christmas sweater and enjoy Coffee & Donuts and fellowship after the morning Masses. Following the 4:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Masses, we have a special Sundays Uncorked with a Christmas party in Fireside (in the school)! We encourage you to don a festive Christmas sweater and come enjoy snacks, drinks, games and crafts!
Worship and Wonder
The beauty of Advent culminates in moments of worship that draw us into the mystery of God’s presence.
We’ll celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8)—a holy day of obligation honoring Mary, who was held free from sin from her very conception, preparing the way for Christ’s coming. Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 7:00 p.m.
On Dec. 13, we welcome the return of Handel’s Messiah, a beloved Saint Clement tradition now in its 50th year. The Family-Friendly Messiah Concert (11 a.m.) invites children and families into the joy of music and storytelling, while the Full Messiah Concert (7 p.m.) offers an evening of breathtaking choral and orchestral beauty that ushers in the Christmas season. Can you offer a bit of time in service to our parish community for either Messiah performance? Sign up to volunteer!
Finally, our journey leads us to the celebration of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses (Dec. 24 & 25), where we come together in awe and gratitude for the birth of Christ—God with us, Emmanuel. See our Holiday Mass Schedule below!
Will you be in town for Christmas? Consider offering a little time in service to your parish family to help us create a prayerful experience for our Christmas Eve & Day Masses. We especially need Greeters and Eucharistic Ministers. There will also be a TRAINING on Sunday, December 7. Contact Caroline Jaros for more information!
Holiday Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24
3:00 p.m. - Church*, Chapel, School
*Note, children’s Christmas pageant held at the 3:00 p.m. Church Mass
*Church Mass is also Livestreamed
5:00 p.m. - Church, Chapel
9:30 p.m. - Carol Service
10:00 p.m. - Midnight Mass in Church
Midnight Mass is also Livestreamed
Christmas Day
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25
9:30 a.m.
11:15 a.m.
New Year’s Day
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1
10:00 a.m. - Mass for Mary, Mother of God
Give the Gift of Faith and Hope through our Christmas Appeal
Support our liturgy, music, and outreach programs
As we approach the Christmas season, we reflect on the incredible gift of God’s love through the Incarnation. This is a time for us to come together in worship, generosity, and service, honoring the true meaning of Christmas.
We invite you to support our Christmas Appeal, which helps fund our vibrant liturgies, beautiful music, and vital outreach programs. Our goal is to raise $150,000 to sustain these programs that touch lives across our community, city, and beyond. Because of this fund, we are able to welcome more people as we continue our important work. Thanks to your generosity, we reached nearly 15,200 people through social activities and community programs that foster belonging, welcomed over 111,000 in worship, and engaged approximately 4,800 participants in formational courses like Alpha, Beta, and more.
Your donation will make a meaningful difference in spreading Christ's love and hope to those in need and our entire faith community. We are deeply grateful for your continued support.
