A great tradition to start during the Advent season is preparing your Nativity Set with the exception of Baby Jesus. A Nativity set that is (temporarily) missing the Baby Jesus is a good reminder that it’s not quite Christmas yet!
St. John Paul II started the tradition of “Bambinelli Sunday”, where he encouraged children to bring their baby Jesus from their family’s nativity set to St. Peter’s Square for a special papal blessing. The children then place their baby Jesus figurine under the Christmas tree until Christmas morning (when he then rejoins the Nativity set).
St. John Paul II started the tradition of “Bambinelli Sunday”, where he encouraged children to bring their baby Jesus from their family’s nativity set to St. Peter’s Square for a special papal blessing. The children then place their baby Jesus figurine under the Christmas tree until Christmas morning (when he then rejoins the Nativity set).
Place your baby Jesus figurine under the Christmas tree until Christmas day.
As we begin a new liturgical year with Advent, I invite you spend some time listening to God's voice in prayer and Scripture study, to spend time with friends reflecting on the Gospels and saints of Advent, and to consider ways you might help others by raising money to help the clinic the parish has chosen as our Advent project.
You are encouraged to sign up to attend Sunday Masses each week.
Holy Spirit will not be offering any additional "in person" faith formation or Confirmation classes or activities during Advent.
There will be some online activities offered:
Sunday/Wednesday Gatherings via Zoom
Game/Gospel reflection/Check in/Prayer Spend 30 minutes playing a game, reflecting on the upcoming Sunday's Gospel in different ways, checking in with friends, and closing in prayer.
Sundays: December 6 and 13
Wednesdays: December 2, 9 and 16.
Advent Weekly Gatherings
Game/Gospel/Check-in/Prayer
Dec
12
Advent/Christmas Trivia Night
Saturday, December 12 at 7:00 PM. Open to all parishioners via zoom. What's Fr. Tom's
favorite Christmas cookie? Which saint is believed to have set up the
first nativity scene? Name that tune: What song contains the line "that
mourns in lowly exile here?" Families can form their own teams. Get to know other parishioners during team play. Zoom link will be sent to those who RSVP Yes or Maybe.
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
MORE ADVENT TRADITIONS/BLESSINGS
Blessing of the Advent Wreath
Lord God,
let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ's promise to bring us salvation. May he come quickly and not delay. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ's promise to bring us salvation. May he come quickly and not delay. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
From Today's Missal Advent-Lent
2020-2021
Light the first candle of the wreath on Sunday, Nov. 29, and think about ways Jesus brought hope to the world. What ways can you continue to bring hope to the world?
Blessing of the Christmas Tree
Leader: Loving God, we stand before you once again. We stand here ready to celebrate the birth of your son, Jesus.
(Have everyone extend a hand in a gesture of blessing.)
Leader: Bless this tree, this sign of life and freshness and perseverance in our midst. It stands as a reminder that you are born anew in us each day. Bless our family and friends as we celebrate this joyous season. Keep us safe in our travels, kind in our conversations, and gracious in our giving and receiving. We ask you this in confidence, because we know you love us.
All: Amen.
(From LoyolaPress.org
Consider bringing hope to those in need by supporting our parish Advent Project.