“At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God’s own love and concern.”
– St. Teresa of Calcutta
Sunday readings for December 7, 2025- Second Sunday of Advent
First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2,7-8, 12-13, 17
Second Reading: Romans 15:4-9
Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12
Announcements
Advent Bible Study
All are invited to join an Advent Bible Study, led by Deacon Luke on the following Saturdays- December 6th and 20th. We will be studying the Infancy Narratives of Jesus. We will start at 5pm following by a potluck dinner in the Angelus House
Congratulations to HR youth for St Hubert’s Honor Roll Achievement
Congratulations to Jasmine Wu, Hazelle Jap, and Abigail Ramos-Mendoza for achieving honor for the first quarter of the 2025-2026 Academic School Year!
Funeral Arrangements for Andy Chan
Monday, December 15
Holy Redeemer
Visitation 6-9 PM
8:30 PM Vigil service
Tuesday, December 16
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
Visitation 8:15-10:40 AM
11 AM Funeral Mass
Christmas Gift Collection for Nursing Home
This Christmas Eve, the Holy Redeemer Youth Group will visit Echelon, a nursing home in Voorhees, NJ to sing Christmas carols and give each resident a Christmas gift. Simple gifts are appreciated: word puzzle books, adult coloring books, decks of cards, stuffed animals, 2026 calendars with pictures, socks, warm scarves or lap blankets. Please consider buying a few gifts for the residents and drop them in the box located in the back of church through this season of Advent. Gifts will be wrapped by HR’s Youth Group. Please do not give food or candy.
Christmas Mass Schedule and Letter from the Pastor
Please see the attached for the Christmas Mass Schedule and the annual Christmas letter from Fr Tom.
Christmas Mass Music Ensemble
This year’s Christmas Eve Mass will be on December 24, 2025. We will have a small music ensemble to play before and during the mass. If any parishioners or students who play any acoustic musical instruments are interested in being a part of the music ensemble, please contact Kurt Jung at kjj2003@hotmail.com. We will publish the rehearsal times shortly.
Second collection December 7th
This second collection is for elderly and sick Sisters, Brothers and priests of religious Orders, including the Capuchin friars, Father Tom’s religious Order.
Update on Advent Eucharistic Adoration at Holy Redeemer
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: We will hold an Advent program of Adoration on Sunday, December 14 and Monday, December 15.
There is a sign up sheet in the back of the church for Sunday afternoon adoration.
At 5 PM on Sunday, there will be a closing benediction in Chinese.
On Monday December 15, the Blessed Sacrament will be on the altar for adoration from 9 AM until 2:30 PM. The school children will have adoration, but all church members are encouraged to come and pray quietly in the church during the day
The Monday adoration is shortened due to the funeral and viewing for Andy Chan on December 15 in the evening.
Gospel of Matthew Class
Retired Villanova Professor of Scripture, Paul Danove, will offer a weekly Zoom class on the Gospel of Matthew beginning Wednesday, December 3 from 7-8:30 PM. Recordings are available for those who can’t be online for the class. Professor Danove’s classes on the Gospels of Mark and Luke were appreciated by his students. If you wish to receive Zoom invitations, please email Father Tom at pastor@stjohnsphilly.com.
Holy Redeemer School Spotlight
Parent Ambassadors Needed
- We are looking for at least two Parent Ambassadors from each class to help communicate, plan, and support events for all of our children here at Holy Redeemer.
- This is a wonderful way to serve as a liaison between families and the school and to strengthen our community.
- We will hold monthly meetings to help guide these discussions and support Ambassadors in their roles.
- If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.
Help Us Grow – Refer a Family!
- Please consider recommending Holy Redeemer to your friends and relatives. We offer generous financial aid, and your referrals strengthen our school community.
Communication Updates
- Weekly email updates will continue, along with daily communication through ClassDojo. Please stay connected!
Follow Us on Social Media!
Stay connected and see what’s happening at Holy Redeemer by following us on:
- Instagram: @HRS915_phl
- Facebook: Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic School
- LinkedIn: Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic School