Ministry Coordinator News
“I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.”
Welcome all, yesterday (Sunday 1 December), the Catholic and as a rule the whole Christian community begin the Liturgical season of Advent. Please read why this season is one of the important times in the Christian Church.
What Is Advent?
Advent is a four-week season starting on the last Sunday in the Catholic Church calendar dedicated to anticipating the arrival, or "Advent," of Jesus of Nazareth, the long-awaited Messiah and King. We celebrate this time with reflections on hope, peace, love, and joy, focusing on the hope-filled arrival of Jesus.
What Does Advent Mean?
Advent means "arrival" and signifies the start of an event or the arrival of a person. In Catholic communities around the world, Advent refers to a four-week season of remembering and celebrating the arrival of Jesus on Earth. It’s a time to reflect on the unexpected nature of Jesus’ humble birth and join in the anticipation of when he will come again to reunite Heaven and Earth once and for all.
Why Is Advent Important?
Advent can be a simple and fun tradition of counting down to Christmas. But for Catholics— it is a time to strengthen our faith that Jesus is the incarnation of God and the long-awaited Messiah — Advent is a shared experience of meditation and prayer that celebrates the arrival of Jesus.
As the following weeks of Advent unfold, we will take a look at the four reflections associated with each week of Advent.
We will start with HOPE.
HOPE
Hope is a central theme to the season of Advent and apparent throughout the next four weeks. It is a foundation for our belief that Jesus is coming into our hearts and the world. This first week prepares us to be people of hope and believe that darkness will not prevail, but the light of the world will overcome it.
Heavenly Father, as we begin this Advent, give light to our eyes and peace to our hearts. May the Lord find us watching and waiting in hope when He comes.
Vince Cooper
Ministry Coordinator