Finding Community in Advent

Dear friends in Christ, 

Wishing you a blessed second week of Advent! In our second reading this weekend, we hear this message: 

Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:7) 

What does it really mean to welcome one another? In my experience, the way I feel most welcomed is when people intentionally spend time together, in friendship and fellowship. In that spirit of welcome, I want to invite you to our next community event: 

Pizza, Movie, and Game Night December 10th, 5:30-7:30 
Come for 4:30 Mass, stay for fellowship, pizza, games, and movies! 
For kids: Angela’s Christmas and Angela’s Christmas Wish, two short (30-45 minute) G-rated animated movies about an Irish Catholic family in the 1910’s. 
For teens and adults: The Chosen: Pilot Episode, The Shepherd and Christmas Special, The Messengers 
For everyone: puzzle and board game swap. Bring your puzzles and games and swap them for new-to-you activities. You do not need to bring a game in order to take one, but if you do, please ensure all the pieces are present. 

What are these community events like? Last month, on November 5th, we had our Morning of Service and Gratitude. It was a chilly, rainy morning, but we had a good group of hardworking kids, teens, and adults who came to make tie blankets for the Ronald McDonald House, celebrate the saints & our faithful departed, craft Thanksgiving cards for the homebound, express their gratitude for the many blessings in their lives, and share fellowship in coffee, juice, and donuts. We shared our joys and struggles together, talking about everything from school, family, parenting, the lives of the saints, and much more!

There are so many ways to find community in our Parish, especially during this busy season of Advent. I welcome you to carefully read the rest of the bulletin or check out our upcoming events flyers posted around the gathering space and find some ways to connect with others this month. Some are fun and relaxing, like Movie Night and Cookie Decorating, while others are more serious and contemplative, like our Adult Formation class, Art Reflection series, and Communal Reconciliation service. Spend some time in prayer to discern what kind of connection you need in your spiritual journey right now. We find Christ in each other, we are Christ to each other, and we need your presence with us this Advent. 

Many blessings to all of you, 

Laura Miller 
Faith Formation Staff