ADVENT

What exactly is Advent?

The word Advent derives from the Latin word meaning coming. The Lord is coming. We may reflect that every year at this time we celebrate his coming , so that in a sense we can lose the feeling of expectancy and joyful anticipation, because at the end of the season, everything seems to return to pretty much the same routine. If that is the case, then our preparation may have been lacking and we have therefore been robbed of much of the true meaning of this season.


What is Advent all about?  How is Advent different than Christmas? 
Watch this 2-minute video that explains the significance of this special season in the Church and why the experience of waiting, hope, and preparation is still so important in our lives today.
Fr. Mike Schmitz has put together a series of short videos explaining Advent.  Take some time to watch, listen, and meditate on these messages.
Children love to celebrate and love to make things.

To make Advent a family celebration and to give the kids preparation for Christmas beyond buying and wrapping gifts, check out these links.

Praying Advent      
Brother Francis Children's Videos
       Family Advent activities






The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some of the hectic busy-ness of the holiday season, and to quietly reflect on the promise of the baby born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. The Bible readings listed below relate to the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, light in the darkness, and the coming of the promised Messiah.
First Week of Advent
Sunday Romans 13:11-14
Monday 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Tuesday Mark 13:33-37
Wednesday John 1:1-5
Thursday John 1:6-9
Friday Jeremiah 33:14-16
Saturday Isaiah 6

Third Week of Advent
Sunday Isaiah 60:1-3
Monday 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Tuesday 1 John 1:4-7
Wednesday John 3:16-21
Thursday Isaiah 40:1-11
Friday John 9:1-7
Saturday Luke 3:1-6
Second Week of Advent
Sunday Romans 15:4-13
Monday Psalms 43:3-6
Tuesday Psalms 27:1-4
Wednesday Psalms 119:105-106
Thursday John 12:35-36
Friday Ephesians 5:6-14
Saturday 1 Peter 2:5-9

Fourth Week of Advent
Sunday Isaiah 11:1-10
Monday Zephaniah 3:14-17
Tuesday Matthew 1:18-25
Wednesday Luke 2:8-20
Thursday Matthew 4:14-16
Friday Isaiah 2:1-5
Saturday Luke 2:25-33