What is Advent and Why do We Celebrate It?
Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year and consists of the four weeks before Christmas. This is a time of great anticipation of the coming of our Lord. Advent is also a time of penance and preparation in our hearts. Some things are noticeably different at Mass. For one, the priest wears purple vestments. Why purple? Purple signifies the royal color of the coming king. Secondly, the Gloria is omitted during Mass. Why? The omission of the Gloria gives us pause during this season to reflect and think about what is missing and what we are waiting for – our Lord. How can families make the most of the season? Quiet time. Finding even a sliver of quiet time in a family during the Christmas season can be the most daunting of tasks, but also the most meaningful. The secular traditions of Christmas (shopping, wrapping, decorating, parties, presents etc.) can easily overshadow the deeper spiritual meanings of the Christmas season. Jesus can end up being missed all together! Develop a tradition that is special to your family during Advent like the Advent wreath, the Jesse tree, celebrating St. Nicholas Day, setting up the Nativity scene, etc. Make it a point to be quiet, contemplative and reflective as
a family as you celebrate these traditions. Most likely your children will remember these traditions with love and fondness far more than anything that was under the Christmas tree.
Need some ideas for Advent prayers? Check out the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website www.usccb.org. In the search window type Advent Prayers.
- St. Francis Church, Sherwood, OR
Sacraments »
Guia para la Confesión
Examen de Consciencia YO SOY EL SEÑOR TU DIOS… NO TENGAS OTROS DIOSES APARTE DE MI. (ÉXODO 20: 2-3) ¿Le dedico tiempo diario a Dios en la oración? ¿Busco amarle de todo corazón? ¿He estado involucrado en practicas supersticiosas o en el ocultismo? (curanderos, limpias, lectura de cartas, tarot, ouija, etc.) ¿He comulgado en estado [...]
Homilies »
Homily: The Enduring Church
Reading I — Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 Responsorial Psalm — Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 Reading II — Rev 5:11-14 Gospel — Jn 21:1-19 or 21:1-14 At the time when St. John wrote his gospel, the first persecutions had already broken out. The Roman Emperors had already begun their policy of executing Christians for treason, [...]
Patron Saints »
St. Nicholas: Patron Saint of Children
Feast Day: December 6 Greatly revered throughout the world, Bishop Nicholas lived in the fourth century in what is now modern-day Turkey. He was beloved for his generous spirit, most widely known through his secretly providing three bags of gold to a poor father unable to support his three daughters. These and similar stories inspired [...]
Oraciones »
Consagración Diaria a La Virgen Maria
Bendita sea tu pureza, y siempre lo sea, pues todo un Dios se recrea en tan graciosa belleza. A ti celestial princesa, Virgen Sagrada Madre, a os consagro en este día, alma, vida, y corazón. No me dejes Madre mia. O Señora mia, o Madre mia, ya que soy toda vuestra, Madre de bondad, [...]
Catholic Prayers »
Stay with me, Lord
Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You. Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, that I may not fall so often. Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life, [...]