First Week of Advent – 2018

[cmsmasters_row data_color=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_top_style=”default” data_width=”boxed”][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsmasters_text]

 

 

Advent has a twofold character, for it is a time of preparation for the Solemnities of Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered, and likewise a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. For these two reasons, Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight.

This new year begins Lectionary Cycle C where the Gospel of Luke will be the primary Gospel proclaimed.

Father Fernando and Father Mike will guide us in a weekly focus of Prayer based on the Gospel’s calling for a deeper relationship with our Lord.

The First Week of Advent Prayer focus is Prayer of Vigilance


Come to the website daily and find a Scripture citing, Feast Day, Prayer and Action from USCCB and St Bernadette Ministries designed to enrich this holy time of preparation and remembrance.


 

[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_padding_bottom=”50″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_bg_color=”#f5f5f5″ data_color=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_top_style=”default” data_merge=”true” data_no_margin=”true” data_width=”boxed”][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsmasters_heading type=”h2″ tablet_check=”true” font_weight=”normal” font_style=”normal” text_align=”center” color=”#9b42f4″ bg_color=”#f5f5f5″ margin_top=”20″ margin_bottom=”20″ animation_delay=”0″]Advent Calendar Scripture, Feasts, Prayers and Actions from USCCB and St Bernadette Ministries[/cmsmasters_heading][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_padding_bottom=”50″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_color=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_top_style=”default” data_width=”boxed”][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/3″][cmsmasters_image align=”none” animation_delay=”0″]10250|https://www.stbnc.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Advent-wreath-home-week-1-3.jpg|full[/cmsmasters_image][/cmsmasters_column][cmsmasters_column data_width=”2/3″][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]

December 2, 2018 – First Sunday of Advent

Begin this journey of Advent by blessing your Advent wreath. Light the first violet candle and sing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

 

 

[/cmsmasters_text][cmsmasters_button button_link=”https://www.stbnc.net/advent-wreath/” button_target=”self” button_text_align=”center” button_font_size=”18″ button_line_height=”40″ button_font_weight=”bold” button_font_style=”normal” button_border_style=”solid” button_bg_color=”#9b42f4″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_color=”#9b42f4″ button_bg_color_h=”#ffffff” button_text_color_h=”#9b42f4″ button_border_color_h=”#9b42f4″ animation_delay=”0″]Advent Wreath Blessing[/cmsmasters_button][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_padding_bottom=”50″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_bg_parallax_ratio=”0.5″ data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center” data_color=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_top_style=”default” data_padding_right=”3″ data_padding_left=”3″ data_width=”boxed”][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]

Gospel                                                                                                                                                                                   LK 21:25-28, 34-36
Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”

[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_width=”boxed” data_top_style=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_color=”default” data_bg_color=”#f5f5f5″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″][cmsmasters_column data_width=”2/3″][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]

December 3, 2018 – Monday in First Week of Advent

In today’s Gospel, the centurion says, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.”

Stay VIGILANT by reading the daily Mass readings as part of your Advent this year.

 

[/cmsmasters_text][cmsmasters_button button_link=”https://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120318.cfm” button_target=”self” button_text_align=”left” button_font_size=”18″ button_line_height=”40″ button_font_weight=”bold” button_font_style=”normal” button_border_style=”solid” button_bg_color=”#9b42f4″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_color=”#9b42f4″ button_bg_color_h=”#ffffff” button_text_color_h=”#9b42f4″ button_border_color_h=”#9b42f4″ animation_delay=”0″]Daily Readings[/cmsmasters_button][/cmsmasters_column][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/3″][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]

Prayer is …

”For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”—Catechism 2558, citing St. Therese of Lisieux,Manuscrits Autobiographiques, C 25rr

[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_width=”boxed” data_top_style=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/3″][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]

Prayer is . . .

Descriptions of prayer are abundant throughout Christian history. “True prayer,” wrote St. Augustine, “is nothing but love.”

Today’s Readings

[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][cmsmasters_column data_width=”2/3″][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]

December 4, 2018 – Tuesday of the First Week of Advent

As you reflect on Mary’s journeys to see her kinswoman Elizabeth and then to find shelter in Bethlehem, pray for migrants traveling to find family, hope, and safe haven around the world today.

Send an email or call and ask them what they need.

 

[/cmsmasters_text][cmsmasters_button button_link=”” button_target=”self” button_text_align=”center” button_font_size=”18″ button_line_height=”40″ button_font_weight=”bold” button_font_style=”normal” button_border_style=”solid” button_bg_color=”#9b42f4″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_color=”#9b42f4″ button_bg_color_h=”#ffffff” button_text_color_h=”#9b42f4″ button_border_color_h=”#9b42f4″ animation_delay=”0″][/cmsmasters_button][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_width=”boxed” data_top_style=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_color=”default” data_bg_color=”#f5f5f5″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″][cmsmasters_column data_width=”2/3″][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]

December 5, 2018 – Wednesday in First Week of Advent

“If we say that we have not sinned, we make [God] a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 Jn 1:10).

Go to confession this season and enjoy Christmas with a clean heart and a peaceful soul, thanks to God’s mercy.

 

[/cmsmasters_text][cmsmasters_button button_link=” https://www.stbnc.net/advent-penance-schedule/” button_target=”self” button_text_align=”left” button_font_size=”18″ button_line_height=”40″ button_font_weight=”bold” button_font_style=”normal” button_border_style=”solid” button_bg_color=”#9b42f4″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_color=”#9b42f4″ button_bg_color_h=”#ffffff” button_text_color_h=”#9b42f4″ button_border_color_h=”#9b42f4″ animation_delay=”0″]Advent Penance Schedule[/cmsmasters_button][/cmsmasters_column][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/3″][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]

Prayer is …

Prayer should arise from the heart. “Prayer,” said St. John Vianney, “is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself.”

Today’s Readings

[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_width=”boxed” data_top_style=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/2″][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]

Prayer is . . .

“Everyone of us needs half an hour of prayer each day,” remarked St. Francis de Sales, “except when we are busy—then we need an hour.”

Today’s Readings

[/cmsmasters_text][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]


A Prayer to Saint Nicholas of Myra

O good St. Nicholas,

you who are the joy of the children,

put in my heart the spirit of childhood,

which the gospel speaks, and teach me to seed happiness around me.

You, whose feast prepares us for Christmas,

open my faith to the mystery of God made man.

You good bishop and shepherd,

help me to find my place in the Church

and inspire the Church to be faithful to the Gospel.

O good Saint Nicholas, patron of children, sailors and the helpless,

watch over those who pray to Jesus, your Lord and theirs,

as well as over those who humble themselves before you.

Bring us all in reverence to the Holy Child of Bethlehem,

when true joy and peace are found. Amen.

[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/2″][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]

December 6, 2018 – Thursday of the First Week of Advent

On this feast day of St. Nicholas, who was known for abundant generosity to the poor, consider purchasing a gift for the Giving Tree

[/cmsmasters_text][cmsmasters_image align=”center” animation_delay=”0″]9743|https://www.stbnc.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Saint-Nicholas-2.png|full[/cmsmasters_image][cmsmasters_button button_link=” https://www.stbnc.net/saint-nicholas-family-project/” button_target=”self” button_text_align=”right” button_font_size=”18″ button_line_height=”40″ button_font_weight=”bold” button_font_style=”normal” button_border_style=”solid” button_bg_color=”#9b42f4″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_color=”#9b42f4″ button_bg_color_h=”#ffffff” button_text_color_h=”#9b42f4″ button_border_color_h=”#9b42f4″ animation_delay=”0″]Saint Nicholas Family Project[/cmsmasters_button][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_width=”boxed” data_top_style=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_color=”default” data_bg_color=”#f5f5f5″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″][cmsmasters_column data_width=”2/3″][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]

December 7, 2018 – Friday in First Week of Advent

Today is the Memorial of St. Ambrose, one of the Doctors of the Church. He baptized St. Augustine and is the patron saint of catechumens.

Pray for those seeking to join the Church today.  Saint Bernadette Catechumens are:

Maria de Lourdes Gomez Arzate

Johana Martinez Guadalupe

Lizeth Gonzalez-Perez

Raul Romero Durazano

Yeraldine Bega

Maelina Jasmin Vega

Aurelia Martinez Chavez

Alicia Ramirez Gracida

Griselda Ramirez Gracida

Nora Elia Vazquez Agallon

Maria Guadalupe Camarena

Rafael Alejandro Gallegos Rangel

Juan Reyna

Denise Angelista-Henry

Mariana Hoffman

Ivan Sirias

Leticia Camacho

Brittney French

Ricky Santomauro

 

[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/3″][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]

Prayer is …

St. John Damascene gave a classic definition of prayer: “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God” (Catechism 2559, citing St. John Damascene, De Fide Orth. 3, 24).

Today’s Readings

[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_width=”boxed” data_top_style=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/2″][cmsmasters_image align=”none” animation_delay=”0″]8997|https://www.stbnc.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Mary-in-Office-crop.jpg|full[/cmsmasters_image][/cmsmasters_column][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/2″][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]

December 8, 2018 – Saturday of the First Week of Advent
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

“No sin would touch her, so that she would be a fitting and worthy vessel of the Son of God. The Immaculate Conception does not refer to the virginal conception and the birth of Christ, but rather to Mary’s being conceived without inheriting Original Sin.” (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, 142-143)

On this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, attend Mass and pray the Hail Mary before meals.

As Mary is also the Patroness of the United States, take time to also pray for our country today.

 

[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row]