Faith Communique#7 December 1, 2024
From: Kathy Fadum
Dear Sisters in the League and Fr. MikeChristmas decorations are adorning houses, the malls are festooned with garlands of red and green, the shopping frenzy is in full force, lists are prepared of what needs to be accomplished and on and on it goes!
This is all well and good, but what about preparing our hearts for the Savior’s coming? Hopefully the following ideas may be of some help.
During Advent, the Scriptures brings to mind the waiting for the promise of salvation that God gave through the prophets for many generations. On the first Christmas, this promise was fulfilled.
The four themes of Advent can be summarized this way:
!. “Be on Guard!”
2 “Prepare the Way of the Lord!”
3. “A Voice cries out in the Wilderness!”
4. “A Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son!”
Let us focus on Mary on how she encountered the angel of God who challenged her to hear and follow the Word of God, and how she responded to that challenge. We too, are called to take up the angel’s challenge and live that mystery in our own everyday lives.
How do we hear those invitations, and like Mary, how do we respond to them? How do we see Mary as a role-model in living out our lives with humility, joy, trust, faithfulness and love of our neighbor and love of ourselves? How do we honor the gift of life the Creator gave us and how do we live it out in responding to the invitation to build the Kingdom?
Rolande Chernichan, National Chairperson of Faith reminds us that “Advent ushers in liturgical Year C and Christmas Eve heralds the birth of Jesus and the start of Jubilee 2025 “Pilgrims ofHope” when the Holy Father opens the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. A jubileeyear presents opportunities for journeying in faith and pilgrimage, seeking reconciliation and renewal in Catholics’ relationship with God.”
She also suggested that you may be interested in some of the following: “Great Symphony of Prayer webinar series offered by the Canadian Catholic Conference of Bishops. They launched a series of 8 free access webinars on the theme of prayer, entitled “A Great Symphony of Prayer” led by Dr. Josephine Lombardi. The April series “The Our Father as a Programme of Life” is available on the CCCB Jubilee webpage. The October “Mary, the Saints and Scripture” series will soon be available using the same link.”
There are two major Feast Days during this month. December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and December 12th is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. These days are focused on praying for peace within ourselves, our families, our faith communities, our cities, our country and the world. Lets not forget also December 12th is a National day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples.
We are also reminded of the CWL Advent Webinar “A Walk Through Salvation History” on December 15th presented by Bishop Wayne Lobsinger, National Spiritual Advisor; Rolande Chernichan, National Chairperson of Faith and Shari Guinta, National President. Mark your calendar and register https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4597544542904574295
I wish you all the blessings of this Holy Season. May the “Christ of Coming” fill your hearts this Christmas, and bring you health and happiness in the New Year.
Kathy Fadum
Diocesan Chairperson of Faith.
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