“On Sunday 20 December 1959 groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the new “chapel” and school. Nearly two hundred parishioners braved the cold weather that day to see Father Charles Nelson turn the first spadefuls of dirt and give a short talk. Assisting Father Nelson in the ceremony were Rev. John J. McGovern of St. Kevin Parish, and Rev. Denis O’Neill of St. Eugene Parish. According to Father Nelson the target date for the completion of the “chapel” and school was 1 August 1960. Notre Dame de Lourdes School opened on 7 September 1960. Mass was celebrated for the first time in the “chapel” on Thursday 8 December 1960.” – Notre Dame de Lordes Parish History
Note the use of the word “chapel” used to refer to our Church at Notre Dame de Lourdes. Originally this space, which according to the Parish History, could seat 850 people, was a temporary space of worship until a stone church could be built at the corner of Fairview and Michigan. The building of that church never materialized. The gymnasium that was originally planned for the current church site would be envisioned as Nelson Hall, opening on 12 December 1965.
The 65th anniversary of the “turning of the first spadefuls of dirt” will occur this Friday 20 December. A photograph of the groundbreaking is in Notre Dame de Lourdes School at the front entrance. Blessings to our parish school as it continues its 65th anniversary year.
Today is Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin imperative verb meaning “rejoice!” The rose-colored candle and vestments signify the joy of the season and the joy of the expectation of the birth of the Messiah. Tuesday 17 December signifies the beginning of the Late Advent season where we are drawn more deeply into the mystery of the Incarnation. The O Antiphons are a unique aspect to these final days of Advent.
The O Antiphons were composed in the ninth century, during the heart of the Dark Ages, to educate the faithful of the meaning of the Advent season. The hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” sets the O Antiphons to music for easier recollection.
The O Antiphons introduce the Canticle of Mary during Vespers (Evening Prayer of the Church) from 17 December through 23 December. They are in chronological order: O Wisdom, O Lord of Might, O Rod of Jesse, O Key of David, O Dayspring from on High, O Desire of Nations, O Emmanuel. In Latin these antiphons would be O Sapiens, O Adonai, O Radix, O Clavis, O Oriens, O Rex, O Emmanuel. When listed acrostically in reverse chronological order they form the Latin sentence – Ero Cras (tomorrow ‘cras,” he will be “ero”). This was a creative way to remember the teaching of the Advent season during a dark period where formal education was very limited. The following are Scripture references for the O Antiphons:
Exodus 6:6 – I am the Lord
Isaiah 7:14 – The virgin shall bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel
Isaiah 11:10 – The root of Jesse shall be glorious
Isaiah 22:22 – I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder
Micah 5:1 – From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.
Proverbs 1:20 – Wisdom cries aloud in the street
Sirach 24:3 – From the mouth of the Most High, Wisdom came forth
Wisdom 8:21 – I could not possess Wisdom unless God gave it
1 Corinthians 1:25 – The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom
Ephesians 2:19:20 – You are members of the household of God with Christ Jesus as the capstone
Hebrews 1:3 – He is the refulgence of his glory, who sustains all things by his mighty word
James 3:17 – The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable
John 8:12 – I am the light of the world
Luke 1:78 – the daybreak from on high will visit us
Matthew 1:23 – They shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us”
Revelation 3:7 – To the holy one, the true, who holds the Key of David
Revelation 15:3 – Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations
Romans 15:12 – The root of Jesse shall come to rule the Gentiles