A Taste of Advent Resources

We would, of course, like to see you at our Advent Day of Prayer on Dec. 14, when we’ll be guided through Matthew’s infancy narrative by Fr. Ron Will, C.PP.S., but we also recognize there are many resources available for doing deeper into Advent, this most spiritual of seasons.

Here’s a short list of some of the resources that we have found and like. Perhaps you’ll find something you like, too.

The U.S. bishops’ Advent Resources
The website of the U.S. bishops’ conference offers a number of useful tools to help you celebrate Advent prayerfully. You might want to start by checking out the interactive Advent Calendar. It gives you ideas and exercises for each day of Advent. This webpage also provides information about the Advent season, blessings for your Advent wreath and Christmas tree. If you don’t know about the “O Antiphons” of Advent make sure you click through that link.

Creighton University’s Online Ministries
The Jesuit university in Omaha, Nebraska, has an extensive web-based resource offering called Praying Advent. It is loaded with stuff! You need to spend some time on the page (and try not to feel overwhelmed) because there is a lot to explore including, Advent prayers, scripture reflections and even bulletin blurbs. Perhaps a good place to start here is with What Can Advent Mean for Me?

A Podcast: Daily Advent Reflections
America magazine has a great audio offering for Advent Reflections by Elizabeth Kirkland Cahill and Isabelle Senechal. Each episode begins with the Scripture reading of the day. You can listen to the reflection on the America website or download it from wherever you get your podcasts.

Catholic Women Preach
If you like some visual with your audio, you may want to take a look at the Catholic Women Preach series, a project of the FutureChurch organization. Advent isn’t the particular focus of this preaching series, but because if follows the Sunday lectionary, at this time the preaching will be about the Advent readings. They have added a special preaching for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12).

These are just a few of the many Advent resources available. Our recommendation: choose one or two of these that fits your style and needs and then join Fr. Ron Will at the Renewal Center Dec.14 to deepen your experience.

Learn more about our Advent Day of Prayer on Dec. 14.