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“Advent...invites us to
pause in
silence to understand a presence.
It is an invitation
to understand
that the individual events of the
day are hints
that God is giving
us, signs of the attention he has
for each one of us.... Should
not the
certainty of his presence
help us see the world with different
eyes? Should it not help us to
consider the whole of our life as
a
‘Visit’,
as a way in which he can
come to us and become close
to us in every situation?”
-- Pope Benedict XVI, Homily for Vespers, Nov. 28 2009.
Advent 2011
Adult Formation, Enrichment and
Spiritual Growth Opportunities
Sponsored by the Catholic Parishes in Waterloo
________________
“Bridges to Contemplative Living”
for Advent and Christmas
Small Group
Discussions Start the Week of November 27
[This opportunity has been cancelled]
This popular small group discussion series has been adapted especially for
the season Advent and Christmas. It uses the writing of Thomas
Merton and other contemporary spiritual guides to help
participants become approach the events of the Advent and
Christmas season in a more contemplative, reflective and prayerful
way. Groups will meet once a week
for four five weeks, on a day and time chosen by the
participants. $10.00 registration fee includes book.
•
• •
Busy
Catholic’s
Guide
to
Advent
Monday,
Nov. 28.
7:00-8:00pm.
O'Hagan Hall (church basement), Sacred Heart Parish, Waterloo
Whether you need a short review or just a chance to
re-focus, this opportunity is designed for
Catholic adults and young adults who want to participate
more intentionally in this important liturgical season. We
will review the origin and purpose of Advent, major themes of
the Advent season, and various
components of Advent observance today. No
registration required.
•
• •
“Joy Overflowing”
Evening of Advent Stories
Tuesday,
November 29. 7:00-8:30pm.
St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center, Cedar Falls
"Joy Overflowing" is the theme for this year's evening of
Advent stories presented by storyteller Gail Froyen. The stories chosen for this year's program will
speak about the importance of generosity, and how generosity
leads to joy, wisdom and understanding. The evening is arranged
in the format of a reflective mini-retreat and the stories are
chosen to help participants center themselves in the sacredness
of the Advent season. In addition to the stories there will be
a time for refreshments and conversation following the
presentation. The program is free
and open to the public. Contact St. Stephen's at
319-266-9863.
•
• •
Advent Mini-Retreat
“Advent Longing--Seeking the Christ Child”
Sunday
December 4. 1:00-4:00pm
American Martyrs Retreat House, Cedar Falls.
The season of Advent
evokes a deep longing within the human heart. As people of faith we long for a
deeper experience of Emmanuel -- of God-With-Us -- both
in our present lives and in the future. Like the people of
ancient Israel, we long for the Messiah who will finally
reconcile us to our eternal destiny. This retreat Mary
Pedersen will help participants identify our Advent
longing, explore the meaning of our longing, and reflect on how
Christ is waiting to be born in our hearts.
$10/adults; $5/students. Registration is requested.
Click here
for more information and online registration.
•
• •
Busy
Catholic’s Guide
to Reconciliation
Sunday, December 4. 2010. 1:00-2:00pm.
Church Hall, Saint Edward Parish, Waterloo
This opportunity is designed for Catholic adults and young
adults who have not celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation
recently and for anyone else who has questions about how or why
Catholics celebrate this sacrament. This session will address
practical questions like when and how often Catholics go to
confession, what formats are available, how to prepare, and what
to say. No registration.
A communal celebration of Reconciliation will follow for
those who wish to participate.
Click here for more information
•
• •
“Rediscovering Advent”
Busy World Online Advent Retreat
Week of December
4-10, 2011
The
Busy World Advent Retreat takes place online and features a
series of daily reflections from Matthew Kelly's new book,
Rediscovering Advent. Adults and young adults
may use these reflections in the privacy of their own home, with
family members, or in a small faith-sharing group. Each
day's reflections
will be posted online and participants may add their own
comments and reflections online each day. No fee;
pre-registration required.
Click here for more information
Click here to register online
• • •
Centering Prayer
Retreat
December 9-10, 2011
American Martyrs Retreat House, Cedar Falls
Contemplative Outreach of Northeast Iowa will sponsor this
Centering Prayer retreat.
The overnight retreat will begin at 5:30pm on Friday
with reflection and prayer, followed by dinner and silent
reflection and prayer. It will conclude Saturday at 3:00pm with
a ritual of Christian unity. The retreat is open to those who
practice Centering Prayer and others who want to learn more
about Centering prayer. Registration fee: $80. For details,
information about partial scholarships and registration contact
American Martyrs at 319-266-3543.
• • •
Feast of
Our Lady of
Guadalupe
Sunday,
December 11.
Queen of Peace Church, Waterloo
Hispanic
Catholics celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the
patron saint of the Americas, on December 12. The celebration begins
with the Mañanitas (Morning Song) at 5:30am, followed by
beverages and sweet cakes. The noon Mass in Spanish will be
followed by a meal. A dramatic presentation of the
miraculous events at
Guadalupe will be presented in Spanish at 6:00pm, followed by
refreshments. All events are open to the public.
Click here for more
information about Our Lady of Guadalupe.
• • •
Advent Lessons and Carols
“Touched by a Child”
Sunday,
December 11. 2:00-3:15pm
St. Edward Church, Waterloo
This annual
concert of inspirational Advent and Christmas music has become
an Advent tradition in the parish and the city. Each year
features a new selection of seasonal music and includes over 175
musicians, including instrumentalists, vocalists, children,
teen and adult choirs from St. Edward Parish. It's an
excellent way to retreat from the hustle and bustle of holiday
preparations in order to rest and reflect on the real reason for
the season. A reception will follow in the church hall. Open to the public.
• • •
Stations of the Crib
Tuesday,
December 13. 11:15am.
Wednesday, December 21. 6:30pm
St. Edward Church, Waterloo
This prayerful experience takes participants on a pilgrimage from Advent to
the Epiphany, reflecting briefly on fifteen events presented in the Infancy Narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
By commemorating the events which mark the way to the manger
these "stations" remind us of the intimate connection between the
events surrounding Jesus' birth and those of his suffering,
death and resurrection. This presentation is adapted from
Fr. Joseph Nassal's book, Stations of the Crib.
•
• •
Holiday Schedules
Click here
for a schedule of Communal Penance Services, Individual
Confession, and Christmas Masses in the Waterloo Parishes.
•
• •
Resources for
Advent
Prayer
and Reflection
Click here
for a list of Advent resources available online.
________________________________
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
Click here
to take a short survey about our Advent opportunities.
________________________________
• • •
For more information
contact:
Director of Adult Faith Formation
•
320 Mulberry St.
Waterloo IA 50703.
Phone:
319-234-9912 • Email:
DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us
Posted 10.29.11 • Last Update:
11.26.11 |