2nd Annual Advent Lessons and Carols

The Fellowship of St. Alban presented its annual Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols at St. Cecilia's Church on Culver Rd. in Rochester on Saturday, December 15, at 7 p.m.

More than 65 people attended the evening prayer service. The 9 readings (or lessons), psalms, and canticles from the Bible, as well as choir and congregational music from the English and Latin musical patrimony, help prepare Christians both for the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth, but also his second coming in glory. 

The Advent service was held on the eve of Gaudete Sunday, when the Church takes a moment from the penitential season to remind Christians to "Rejoice!" for Christ Jesus, our loving savior, is close at hand.

Afterwards, St. Alban's held a reception in the parish hall. Many thanks to Father Evan Simington for leading the prayer service, Chuck Smith for serving and reading all the lessons, David Fiorito for conducting the choir, Jean Smith for providing the refreshments, and of course all our wonderful choir members: Regina Appleby, Denise Eggert, Lori Martinez, Mary Bayer, Chris Bayer, Alexis Smith, Peter Smith, Scott Smith, and Lloyd Peasely. We're deeply grateful for all who came out that evening to help us render praise to God our loving Father.

We invite you to join us for Midnight Mass on Christmas (12 a.m.), with confession from 11:15-11:45 p.m., or Christmas Day Mass (11:30 a.m.), with Confession from 10:45-11:15 a.m. May this Advent time of prayer and penance prepare you for a Merry Christmas!