For Advent this year, we are happy to announce that we will be offering 4 Prayer, Reflection, & Discussion Nights called, The Advent Experience. These nights will take place virtually via Zoom on the Mondays of Advent from 7:00-8:30pm. 

All sessions will be live streamed from the Upper Room. If you cannot attend virtually on Mondays, limited recordings of each night will be made available at a later time. 

To attend, please sign up below. There is no cost for this event. All registered participants will receive the Zoom code each week as well as materials to be used for each session.

This year’s Angel Tree project will be a little different.   As you are aware several things are different from prior years: We are practicing social distancing and many schools have not reopened.  Many families are without jobs through no fault of their own.   The agencies are at a disadvantage since they must use fewer volunteers to assist in their Christmas gift giving programs.   We are limited in space for storage and the number of volunteers we can use at one time.  Therefore, we are asking everyone to try something new this year…

After all the Masses on the weekend of November 21^st & 22^nd, volunteers will be handing out a special Angel tag as you leave Mass.  Please consider taking one or two to help a child in need this Christmas.  If you are unable to attend Mass and watch virtually, we have inserted an Angel tag in the bulletin that you can print, cut out and attach to your stocking.  We will also leave some Angels in a basket in the gathering space of the church if you attend morning Mass during the week. 

Please purchase a 16”-18” Christmas stocking and a Target, Walmart, Visa, etc. gift card (minimum $25).  Please be sure to write the amount of your gift card somewhere on the card.   You may choose the age and gender (newborn - teenagers) of your Angel just be sure to write that information on the back of the Angel.   Put the gift card in the stocking and fill the rest of the stocking with little fun items you think your Angel would enjoy receiving.  For many children this might be the only gift they will receive this year.   After you have purchased the items and filled your stocking attach your Angel tag to the stocking and follow the directions on the back of the Angel tag.  It is important that you give your stocking to one of the volunteers either on Wednesdays or on the weekend before all the Masses. 

If you are unable to shop or would like us to shop for you, please put your donation (checks payable to Holy Spirit) in an envelope and label it “Angel Tree”.  You can also go online to our website www.holyspiritlv.org, go to “Give On Line” and select “Angel Tree.  Donations in the Poor Box will also assist with this project.  

Thank you for rising to this new challenge and making this Christmas special for many deserving children.  God bless you!  

Read the Readings from this Sunday, the 1st Sunday of Advent

1. In what areas of your life do you trust that Jesus will fulfill (or has fulfilled) what you need? In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust that Jesus will provide? 

2. The phrase, “God is faithful” is so simple but contains a lot of meaning. What does the word “faithful” mean to you? In what ways does God demonstrate faithfulness in your life? 

3. What does total dependence on God look like in a person’s life? Do you demonstrate this kind of trust? Why? 

4. During Advent, we prepare our hearts to receive the gift of God’s grace. In what ways can you dive deeper into Advent? 

Father,

For all that You have done for me,

my heart is full of gratitude and praise today.

I thank You for the beauty of the world that You have made,

for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love:

Your great love by sending Your son, Jesus.

I thank you for the blessing of friends and family,

for the love and care that surrounds me.

I thank You for the opportunity to bring my best forward,

the resources I have, the gifts and talents You’ve given me,

I get to share these with others and glorify You.

In times of need, allow me to acknowledge my dependence

on You and experience the care of my own community.

Whether it’s loss of employment, important relationships

and loved ones, loss of momentum, mobility, or security,

I know that even in these times, You are my great provider.

I am grateful for Your goodness and kindness.

In Your faithfulness, You draw close to me.

I know You hear me when I cry out or when my prayers are whispered

You have never left me alone on this journey,

nor in this world that You made and love.

Instead You have given me your Spirit,

and gifts through which I can bring light and hope to those around me.

I thank You for Your peace,

and ask that You give me grace to let it rule my heart.

Above all, I am grateful for Your Son Jesus Christ;

for the truth of His Word and the example of His life;

for His death on the cross and His rising to life again.

I thank You that I have a new life through Him.

For all of this, my heart is full,

Amen

Something special is coming! In a time that we are limited to the amount of people who can sing in our music groups at one time, there are not too many options for a 'kids' choir.' But, with a little bit of creativity, patience, and video editing, maybe that Christmas Kids Choir can be a reality...just in a slightly different way. 

Invites you to  A “Longest Night” prayer service,

as a way to comfort those who have suffered a loss through death, divorce, illness or Covid related losses. 

The end of December marks the longest night of the year. As you grieve your losses  

you may find the holiday season painful. Come find comfort in the company of others who have had losses as we pray and remember. Reservations to be sent in the coming weeks. This service will also be live streamed.