Holy Rosary Catholic Church

Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to East Memphis since 1954.

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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / Why does it still look like Christmas?

Why does it still look like Christmas?

January 11, 2021 by Fr. Patrick Gallagher

If Christmas is over, why does it still look like Christmas?

No, we are not being lazy. There is a longstanding tradition to keep Christmas décor and the Nativity Creche up until the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd.  The Feast of the Presentation is celebrated forty days after Christmas and is traditionally the official end of Christmastide, marking the end of the liturgical seasons of Christmas and Epiphany. The feast also commemorates the third and final infancy epiphany since Jesus’ birth- the first to the shepherds, the second to the Magi, and the third to the righteous Israelites Sts. Simeon and Anna.

History of the Forty Days of Christmas

The entire Christmas Cycle is a crescendo of Christ’s manifesting Himself as God and King — to the shepherds, to the Magi, at His Baptism, to Simeon and the prophetess, Anna (Luke 2).
The days from the Feast of the Nativity to the Epiphany are known as “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. But Christmas doesn’t end as a season — i.e., the celebration of the events of Christ’s life as a child don’t end, and the great Christmas Cycle doesn’t end – until Candlemas on 2 February. On the 2nd February the New born Christ enters His temple, He is offered to the Father and He fulfils the requirements of His own Laws. God enters the temple really and truly wrapped in our humanity. At that time, Christmastide truly ends. So, You will notice that the Nativity Scenes and Christmas decor will remain in the church until Candlemas – Feast of the Presentation of The Lord, 2nd February.

 

Christmas Christ is born
Feast of the Holy Innocents Herod slaughters the baby boys in order to kill the Christ Child
The Circumcision (the Octave of Christmas) Jesus follows the Law
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus after He is circumcised, He is named and becomes a part of the Holy Family
Twelfth Night The Twelve Days of Christmas as a Feast come to an end
Feast of the Epiphany Jesus reveals His divinity to the three Magi, and during His Baptism, and at the wedding at Cana
Baptism of Our Lord Octave of the Epiphany
Feast of the Purification (Candlemas) 40 days after giving birth, Mary goes to the Temple to be purified and to fulfill the laws as per the Old Testament Law of the firstborn. Christmas ends as a Season with Candlemas. During the Candlemas Mass father blesses all of the candles that will be used in the church throughout the year.

 

Adapted from The Liturgical Year by Abbot Gueranger

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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Welcome to Holy Rosary

Glory to Jesus Christ!

It is with great pleasure that I say, “Welcome to Holy Rosary!” I hope you will find our parish a “home” for you to grow spiritually and to experience the Lord in and through this community of faith. Whether you’re just visiting us for a brief time, looking for a new parish home, are returning to the practice of your Catholic faith or are interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church, we’re happy to have you here.

A parish is a community of believers and a spiritual family  that is supportive and loving. It can be a place to grow spiritually, to put your faith in action, and to use our gifts of time and talent as disciples of Christ.

We look forward to answering any questions you may have.  Please know that you can connect with us on Facebook or contact us by phone or email.  You are always welcome to join us for Mass or for many of the events in our calendar.  We look forward to connecting with you here and hopefully seeing you in the life of the parish and school.

In Christ,
Fr. Patrick Gallagher

Church Calendar

January 2021

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  • Womens Guild
    Womens Guild January 19, 2021  6:00 pm - 9:00 pm 4851 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117 (Cafeteria)

    Facility Name: Cafeteria

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  • Mens Club Meeting
    Mens Club Meeting January 21, 2021  6:30 pm - 9:00 pm 4851 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117 (Cafeteria)

    Facility Name: Cafeteria

    See more details
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  • Knights of Columbus Breakfast
    Knights of Columbus Breakfast January 24, 2021  7:00 am - 2:00 pm 4851 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117 (Cafeteria)

    Facility Name: Cafeteria

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  • Womens Study Group
    Womens Study Group January 24, 2021  4:45 pm - 6:00 pm 4851 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117 (Cafeteria)

    Facility Name: Cafeteria

    See more details
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  • Cub Pack Meeting
    Cub Pack Meeting January 25, 2021  6:30 pm - 8:00 pm 4851 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117 (Cafeteria)

    Facility Name: Cafeteria

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Holy Rosary Catholic Church

4851 Park Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38117 
Phone: 901.767.6949 
Fax: 901.767.8504

Mass Times

Saturday Vigil: 4:30PM

Sunday: 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 10:30AM (Incense), and 12:15PM

Monday-Saturday: 6:15AM and 8:15AM

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