First Week of Advent – 2018
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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.
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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.”
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Gospel LK 21:25-28, 34-36
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.”
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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.
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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
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Prayer is . . .
Descriptions of prayer are abundant throughout Christian history. “True prayer,” wrote St. Augustine, “is nothing but love.”
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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 the Knots of Love Ministry and ask them what they need.
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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.
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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.”
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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.”
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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.
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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
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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
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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).
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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.
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