Gallery 2023: Scenes of Advent

15.01.2024

Light and Blessings

© Photo: L. Bemb/International English-Speaking Parish

Father Christian Enke opens the 2023 Christmas preparatory season by blessing and lighting the first candle on the Advent wreath during the Vigil Mass at St. Leonhard's on Dec. 2.

© Photo: L. Bemb/International English-Speaking ParishThe Advent Wreath at Holy Cross is placed in the back of the church, in front of a Way of the Cross station depicting the burial of Jesus on Good Friday.

© Photo: L. Bemb/International English-Speaking ParishFather Christian invited the congregation attending Mass at Holy Cross on Dec. 3, 2023 to gather around the Advent wreath as he blessed it and lit the candles for the first time.

© Photo: L. Bemb/International English-Speaking ParishThe Advent wreath at Holy Cross following the lighting of the candle on the 1st Sunday of Advent 2023

© Photo: L. Bemb/International English-Speaking ParishParish children performed in a pageant at Holy Cross as the church celebrated the 1st Sunday of Advent on Dec. 3, 2023

Lighting the candles on the Advent wreaths in all our church locations in December 2023 emphasizes the coming Light of Christ as the parish prepares for Christmas.

Click on the picture at the top of each section for a gallery of photos from this season.

Filipino Festival

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking Parish

Father Christian incenses the Easter Candle at the start of Mass at Holy Cross on Sunday, Dec. 10

© Photo: L. Bisquera/International English-Speaking ParishThe women in the choir wore matching outfits in honor of the Filipino Festival on Dec. 10, 2023

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking ParishPreparatory tasks for the 2023 Filipino Festival at Holy Cross included readying flowers to be used during a veneration procession to a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary

© Photo: B. Dimaunahan/International English-Speaking ParishFilipino parishioners also worked before Mass on Dec. 3, 2023, to set up the Holy Cross Parish Hall for a pot-luck buffet featuring dishes from their home country

© Photo: B. Dimaunahan/International English-Speaking Parish

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking ParishBrother Anil Suthi, OFM Cap, read the Gospel during the 2nd Sunday of Advent Mass (the parish's Filipino Festival Mass) on Dec. 3, 2023, his first service with the parish as cooperating priest

© Photo: T. Lavell/International English-Speaking ParishFather Francis Ofrancia, the chaplain of the Filipino Catholic Community in Frankfurt, delivered the homily at the Filipino Festival Mass at Holy Cross on Dec. 3, 2023.

© Photo: L. Bisquera/International English-Speaking ParishFather Christian says grace at the start of the Filipino Festival after-Mass buffet lunch on Sunday, Dec. 2023 at Holy Cross

© Photo: L. Bisquera/International English-Speaking Parish

© Photo: N. John/International English-Speaking ParishFather Christian and Father Anil join the choir and after-Mass social volunteers at the end of the 2023 Filipino Festival buffet lunch

Parishioners from the Philippines celebrated their annual festival at Sunday Mass at Holy Cross on Dec. 10, 2023, with veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary (in honor of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception two days before), the choir singing hymns in Tagalog and a pot-luck buffet after the service.

Candle Labyrinth on Gaudete Sunday

The Medical Mission Sisters, whose Frankfurt community is based at Holy Cross Center for Christian Meditation & Spirituality, prepare a 2,000-candle labyrinth on the church floor for the 3rd Sunday of Advent each year, with the installation providing an opportunity for contemplation for parishioners attending the English-language Gaudete Sunday Mass. Click on the photo for more pictures of the Dec. 17, 2023, service.