ADVENT Creative Communications Sample

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Gerard Boyd
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1 ADVENT DAILY CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS

2 The state fair in Massachusetts, where I live with my family, is held each September. In addition to the agricultural attractions, hundreds of crafters and vendors are present, offering items not found on the shelves of giant retailers. My wife and I happily peruse the acres of booths, looking for unique Christmas gifts that will be especially appropriate for family members (even though Christmas is three months away). It s fun finding that perfect gift that will be appreciated by the recipient. But to take advantage of this opportunity, we must prepare well ahead of time. The Church recognizes our need to spiritually prepare for Christmas and provides us with the beautiful gift of Advent. During this season, just a little prayerful reminder each day can be enough to prompt significant spiritual growth. Here, in our annual Living Faith Advent booklet, a reflection for each day of the season allows you to peruse the unique offerings of some of our most popular Living Faith authors. With Scripture, prayer and observing Advent traditions, you are preparing your heart, creating a unique gift for yourself and our infant Savior. Terence Hegarty, editor

3 First Sunday of Advent Be watchful! Be alert! Mark 13:33 Eternally Watchful I am alert to all kinds of dangers, from threats foreign and domestic to identity theft, superbugs, fake news and a variety of scams. Unfortunately, my hypervigilance can place me in the grip of fear sometimes. I can lack confidence about the future and be prone to cynicism. Yet that cannot be what Jesus wants for us when he tells us to be watchful. Despite the very real threats around us, the greatest danger we face is indifference to our eternal destiny and ignorance of our deepest desires. So I will continue to use sunscreen on sunny days and wash my hands carefully during cold and flu season. But I pray that such earthly concerns do not overtake my desire to greet the One who is to come. Lord Jesus, may this Advent season heighten my awareness of your presence in my life. Mark Neilsen Isaiah 63:16-17, 19; 64:2-7 Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:

4 Monday, First Week of Advent Our Humility, God s Glory Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. Matthew 8:8 We often confuse humility with self-criticism or behaving like a doormat, but it s not truthful to diminish what God has given us. Conversely, claiming that our gifts are the result of our own merit and hard work is essentially stealing from God, giver of all life and goodness. The centurion provides a model of true humility, being both humble ( I am not worthy ) and subject to authority while remaining cognizant of the authority inherent in his position ( I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come here, and he comes ). True humility stems from awareness of our status as created beings, that we are each endowed with unique gifts that God intends for us to use for his glory. We are subject to God s authority, and sometimes we also need to exercise authority over others our children, for instance. Our lives are not about us. Rather, our lives should follow the plan God intends, through our cooperation. Elizabeth Duffy 4 Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122:1-9 Matthew 8:5-11

5 Tuesday, First Week of Advent Building a World of Peace Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid. Isaiah 11:6 Isaiah paints a picture of an idyllic place. It is a place where old tree stumps (thought to be dead) begin to sprout new green shoots. A place where a lamb invites a wolf over for dinner, where a leopard cuddles up with a baby goat and where a child toddles around the entrance of a cobra s den unharmed. It is a vision of the regenerative power of life and a vision of perfect peace. But we can t take the words literally. After all, wolves need to eat. And even if a baby goat should sleep with a leopard, it probably would do so with one eye open! But Isaiah s lovely description, though apparently not realistic, does capture something profoundly real: humanity s deep longing for unending life and perfect peace. And the incredible news is this: Jesus, Emmanuel, will satisfy our longing for life and peace literally. Through his life and teaching, death and resurrection, he will make Isaiah s vision a reality. And we partner with him in building such a world by following in his footsteps. Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D. Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 Luke 10:

6 Never Absent Wednesday, First Week of Advent This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us! Isaiah 25:9 What a compelling reason to rejoice and be glad! At this very moment, the Lord s saving power is flowing into our minds and hearts! No surprise here, because God will never abandon what God has chosen to love. And to make sure we d get the message, God sent Jesus into our midst as the visible sign of the divine love that lives within us. I believe the Lord is always fully present within us, but when we are unaware of his presence, it seems like he is absent. And so we cry out, Come, Lord Jesus. This is a fitting Advent prayer that reminds us of our need for God while increasing our awareness of who is already within us. Jesus is never absent. But sometimes we are! Lord Jesus, you are here in our midst. May we become more conscious of your loving presence each day of this Advent season and beyond. Fr. Kenneth E. Grabner, C.S.C. 6 Isaiah 25:6-10 Psalm 23:1-6 Matthew 15:29-37

7 Thursday, First Week of Advent No More Lip Service Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. Matthew 7:24 How about those Advent one-hour evening retreats that were in the bulletin? Sounds like a great idea. Or how about the plea to help put together the stars to hang on the giving tree? That d probably be a lot of fun besides being great service. But you re just so busy, right? We all know the words, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. We say them often. But they become hollow when we don t act on them. When our words are hollow, our souls may become hollow as well. Make this Advent different. Give yourself a gift. Say no to some of the shopping and parties and stress. Say yes to the Lord. Father, help me to say yes to your invitation. Melanie Rigney Isaiah 26:1-6 Psalm 118:1,8-9, 19-21, Matthew 7:21,

Written especially for Advent by the authors of the perennially popular Living Faith: Daily Catholic Devotions, the reflections in this special Advent booklet draw upon the daily Mass readings as

8 Written especially for Advent by the authors of the perennially popular Living Faith: Daily Catholic Devotions, the reflections in this special Advent booklet draw upon the daily Mass readings as they remind us of the themes of the season. Reflecting on Scripture and preparing for Advent with prayer provides an ideal antidote to the hustle and bustle that is often a part of Advent. Let this treasured resource help you to welcome Jesus and rejoice in the Incarnate Word. This book, along with many other for the Parish products, is available on and Acknowledgments Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Living Faith Advent. Design by Jamie Wyatt. Cover image: Shutterstock for the Parish, a Division of Bayard, Inc., 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO All rights reserved. LFA7

Called and Confirmed

Called and Confirmed A Catholic Confirmation Journal Name A Introduction As with any journal, the user is responsible for filling in the pages. However, if you are open to it, you will have plenty of help