The holy season of Advent begins on November 29, the First Sunday of Advent. This short liturgical season of four weeks is meant to prepare us for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. And while we focus on His first coming in the form of man at Christmas, we also prepare ourselves for His second coming in glory to judge the living and the dead. It is becoming more and more difficult for we who are Catholic to take advantage of this holy season of Advent. The Secular “Christmas” is already in full swing: decorations and gifts are already in stores; Christmas music is already being played on the radio stations; and Christmas decorations are in full display in towns and yards. Each year as the secular celebration of Christmas begins earlier and earlier, I ask myself, “Is there any wonder that almost everybody is tired of Christmas by the time December 25 gets here??” Whereas, for us, that’s when the twelve days of celebration begins!
As difficult as it may be, it is entirely possible to be spiritually prepared to celebrate the birth of Our Lord Jesus at Christmas. And when, prepared, that celebration will bring great joy to our lives! To help us prepare for the mystery of Christmas, our parish will offer several things for this Advent Season. I also invite you and your families to take advantage of this great website set up by the Bishops for families with prayers, ideas for activities, and resources: click here.
1. PREPARATION FOR TOTAL CONSECRATION
There is no better person to prepare us for the birth of Christ than she who experienced it first hand: the Blessed Virgin Mary. During this season of Advent, we should seek to grow closer to Her, Our Mother. One way we can do this is through the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary according to the devotion of St. Louis de Montfort. It will take place on Tuesday, December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God. If you have never consecrated yourself, I highly encourage you to do so. It is important that we receive the gift of Mary’s Motherhood that Jesus Himself gave us from the cross. As St. Louis de Montfort affirms, Mary “is the surest, the easiest, the shortest and the most perfect means of going to Jesus Christ” In this consecration, we entrust ourselves to Mary, body and soul, without reserve, that we may belong entirely to Jesus Christ.
2. COME, LORD JESUS FOR ADVENT
During Advent, we should also read the Word of God, which is richly provided in beautiful readings. To help us do this, we will offer a few Come Lord Jesus groups for the four weeks of Advent. If you have never heard or experienced Come, Lord Jesus, it’s a weekly group that gathers to pray, reflect upon, and discuss the Scriptural readings of the upcoming Sunday. I hope that you will take advantage of it! For more info, click here.
3. ADVENT BOOKLETS
Word Among Us booklets with daily meditations on the Advent readings from Mass are available all families who would like to celebrate the season with personal prayer. This will be especially good for members of our parish who are home bound. They can be found at the entrances of the church.
4. ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE
Finally, there will be a Penance Service offered here at St. Peter Church on Tuesday, December 15, at 6:30pm in the church. Several Priests from the area will be here to assist in hearing confessions.
