THE WEDNESDAY REPORT: December 17, 2025

Dear Partners in Ministry,

I had really been looking forward to congratulating you all enthusiastically for a wonderful Gaudete concert and making sure all our Christmas Eve/Day preparations were well in hand at an enthusiastic rehearsal tomorrow night, but (as some of you have now heard several times—and sorry for such repetition!) I tested positive for COVID this morning. Boo.

With that unexpected twist in mind, here are some important notes for the remainder of this week:

1. Parish Choir rehearsal is cancelled for tomorrow night. I hate to nix our last rehearsal opportunity before Christmas, but nothing we're doing for these Masses is unfamiliar or terribly difficult, so I think we'll be fine. If you havent sung my "O Tidings" before, it's the melody of "God Rest Ye Merry" with new, Eucharistically centered lyrics. If I'm up to it tomorrow, I'll throw some practice tracks for the refrain harmony together.

2. I will not be in the office tomorrow or Friday. If I feel like I'm back on track, I will join you, mask on, for the 5 pm; if not, our dear Aga has graciously offered to sub in.

3. I can at least congratulate you in writing! Thank you all so much for all the effort, hard work, good musicianship, and impressive chutzpah needed to make Gaudete such a wonderful event.

4. I'll send an email out later regarding particulars for our Christmas Masses (warmup times, etc). If you have any questions you'd like to answer for everyone, please email me!

5. No Wednesday Report next week.... we'll be seeing plenty of each other next Wednesday and Thursday.

Peace be with you,
Tony

THIS WEEK IN LITURGY

DECEMBER 21 · Fourth Sunday of Advent

READINGS: Read online at usscb.org
Lectionary for Mass: 10
2026 Workbook: p. 16
Breaking Bread 2026: p. 42
Cantors: David R (5:00); Carolyn C (9:00); Greg E (11:00)

MUSIC SELECTIONS:

Gathering: 58 · 4.012 · Emmanuel (Angrisano) Verse 1
Penitential Act: p. 6 · JS 145 · Order of Mass: Kyrie
Responsorial Psalm: WA · 4.023 · Advent Psalm: Come, O Lord (Ward) Set 1 (Ps 24)
Gospel Acclamation: 106 · JS 261 · Christmas Season Gospel Acclamation (Bridge)
Prayer of the Faithful: 1010 · JS 268 · O God, Hear Us (Hurd)
Preparation of the Gifts: 65 · JS 293 · Litany of the Word (Advent Litany) (Farrell)
Eucharistic Acclamations: 881–886 · JS 248–253 · Mass of Glory: Lamb of God (Canedo/Hurd)
- Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen · Lamb of God
Communion: 1022 · 3.047 · O Christ Our Life (Ward)
Sending Forth: 39 · 5.100-11 · ACH 11 · O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (plainchant)

DECEMBER 24/25 · The Nativity of the Lord

READINGS: Read online at usscb.org
Lectionary for Mass: 14
2026 Workbook: p. 24
Breaking Bread 2026: p. 47
Cantors: Anthony S (Vigil, 4:30 p), Tony (Vigil, 7:00 p), TBD (Night, 10:00 p), Pam P (Day, 11:00 a)

MUSIC SELECTIONS:
All music will be provided in a printed worship aid.

Gathering: ACH 10 · O Come, All Ye Faithful (ADESTE FIDELES)
Glory to God: 1.001 · Mass of Creation: Glory to God (Haugen)
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98: Complete Setting (Ward)
Gospel Acclamation: JS 261 · Christmas Season Gospel Acclamation (Bridge)
Prayer of the Faithful: 1JS 268 · O God, Hear Us (Hurd)
Preparation of the Gifts:
- Vigil (4:30 p and 7:00 p) 5.100-2 · ACH 2 · Angels We Have Heard on High (GLORIA)
- Night (10:00 p) ACH 7 · It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (CAROL)
- Day (11:00 a) ACH 4 · Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
Eucharistic Acclamations: 881–886 · JS 248–253 · Mass of Glory: Lamb of God (Canedo/Hurd)
- Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen (now a double refrain!) · Lamb of God
Communion:
- 5.015 · O Tidings (GOD REST YE MERRY/Ward)
- 5.100-17 · ACH 17 · The First Nowell (English carol)
Postcommunion (Dec 24 only): 5.100-15 · ACH 15 · Silent Night (Grüber)
Sending Forth: 5.100-8 · ACH 8 · Joy to the World (ANTIOCH)

LOOKING AHEAD

DECEMBER 28 · The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

READINGS: Read online at usscb.org
Lectionary for Mass: 17
2026 Workbook: p. 35
Breaking Bread 2026: p. 53
Cantors: Kathy H (5:00); Karin O (9:00); Anthony S (11:00)

MUSIC SELECTIONS:

Gathering: 105 · 5.100-5 · ACH 5 · Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (Mendelssohn)
Glory to God: 1.001 · Mass of Creation: Glory to God (Haugen)
Responsorial Psalm: 793 · JS 105 · Ps 128: O Blessed Are Those (Inwood)
Gospel Acclamation: 106 · JS 261 · Christmas Season Gospel Acclamation (Bridge)
Prayer of the Faithful: 1010 · JS 268 · O God, Hear Us (Hurd)
Preparation of the Gifts: 1013 · JS 609 · For the Beauty of the Earth (Kocher/Dix)
Eucharistic Acclamations: 881–886 · JS 248–253 · Mass of Glory: Lamb of God (Canedo/Hurd)
- Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen · Lamb of God
Communion: 309 · 3.081 · Here At This Table (Whitaker)
Sending Forth: 109 · 5.100-2 · ACH 2 · Angels We Have Heard on High (GLORIA)

JANUARY 1 · Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God · Mass at 11:00 am

READINGS: Read online at usscb.org
Lectionary for Mass: 18
2026 Workbook: p. 39
Breaking Bread 2026: p. 55
Cantor: TBD (11:00)

MUSIC SELECTIONS:

Gathering: 694 · JS 472 · Sing of Mary (PLEADING SAVIOR)
Glory to God: 1.001 · Mass of Creation: Glory to God (Haugen)
Responsorial Psalm: 767 · JS 58 · Ps 67: O God, Let All the Nations (Smith)
Gospel Acclamation: 106 · JS 261 · Christmas Season Gospel Acclamation (Bridge)
Prayer of the Faithful: 1010 · JS 268 · O God, Hear Us (Hurd)
Preparation of the Gifts: WA · JS 121 · Luke 1: Magnificat (Whitaker)
Eucharistic Acclamations: 881–886 · JS 248–253 · Mass of Glory: Lamb of God (Canedo/Hurd)
- Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen · Lamb of God
Communion: 354 · JS 776 · Ubi Caritas (Hurd)
Sending Forth: 90 · 5.100-8 · ACH 8 · Joy to the World (ANTIOCH)

JANUARY 4: The Epiphany of the Lord

READINGS: Read online at usscb.org
Lectionary for Mass: 20
2026 Workbook: p. 42
Breaking Bread 2026: p. 57
Cantors: Dave R (5:00); Marie P (9:00); Jerry G (11:00)

MUSIC SELECTIONS:

Gathering: 114 · 5.100-1 · ACH 1 · Angels from the Realms of Glory (REGENT SQUARE)
Glory to God: 1.001 · Mass of Creation: Glory to God (Haugen)
Responsorial Psalm: WA · 2.000 · Psalm 72: Lord, Every Nation on Earth (Ward)
Gospel Acclamation: 106 · JS 261 · Christmas Season Gospel Acclamation (Bridge)
Prayer of the Faithful: 1010 · JS 268 · O God, Hear Us (Hurd)
Preparation of the Gifts: 100/101 · 5.022 · Child of the Poor/What Child Is This (Soper)
Eucharistic Acclamations: 881–886 · JS 248–253 · Mass of Glory: Lamb of God (Canedo/Hurd)
- Holy · We Proclaim Your Death · Amen · Lamb of God
Communion: 115 · 5.100-17 · ACH 17 · The First Nowell (English carol)
Sending Forth: 112 · 5.100-16 · ACH 16 · Songs of Thankfulness and Praise (SALZBURG)