2012
Resources for the
ADVENT and CHRISTMAS Seasons 

KOLBE HOUSE JAIL MINISTRY ADVENT EMAIL RETREAT

Kolbe House, the jail ministry of Archdiocese of Chicago, invites you to participate in their annual advent email retreat that starts on December 3, 2012.  Every Monday during Advent subscribers will receive an email that contains a short personal experience and scriptural reflection written by one of our Kolbe House staff or volunteers.  This reflection will also include a simple prayer and suggested actions for the week.  The scripture reflections are based on the same Sunday Advent readings that are shared with the men and women that we visit in jail. To participate in our Advent email retreat, please send an email to kolberetreat@aol.com

PARISH EVENTS AND ARTICLES IN CATHOLIC NEW WORLD

• Around the Archdiocese, Advent and Christmas activities in local parishes.
• Perspectives on the Scripture, First Sunday of Advent
• Perspectives on the Scripture, Second Sunday of Advent
• The Family Room, by Michele Martin - "It's Christmas Time"
• Baby Jesus Is Coming, photos taken after the set-up of the life-size outdoor creche in Chicago's Daley Plaza Nov. 24. The God Squad, a team of volunteers from Chicago-area parishes, sets up the Nativity scene each year at the start of Advent.

CATHOLIC CHICAGO BLOG

Week of November 26, 2012
Todd Williamson, Director of the Office for Divine Worship, highlights a theme of Advent and poses the question, “Do you ever pray for the end of the world?”
…each year, in the Advent / Christmas cycle, we find ourselves in the midst of a time in our Church’s liturgical year, half of which is devoted to the very idea of looking forward to “the end of time.”  Just listen to the words of the liturgy which we pray every Sunday, week in and week out: “Lord Jesus, you will come in glory with salvation for your people...”

OFFICE FOR IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS AND IMMIGRATION EDUCATION RESOURCES

Click here for:

• Advent Activities & Resources include:
• December 21 Posada Pilgrimage and Posada Directory
• weekly prayers, reflections and activities

SIMBANG GABI SCHEDULE

A Novena of Masses in preparation for Christmas celebrated by Filipino Catholics.

“ANTORCHA GUADALUPANA” GUADALUPE TORCH RUN DES PLAINES/CHICAGO

This overnight celebration honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, begins with Mass at 8 p.m. celebrated by Fr. Miguel A. Martinez, rector of the Chapel/Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1100 North River Road in Des Plaines. At 10:30 p.m., Fr. Marco Mercado, director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics, will bless the torches that hundreds of people representing Hispanic parishes throughout the Archdiocese will carry in a run from the shrine to their respective parishes. This will be followed by a solemn procession of the Blessed Sacrament from the gym to the outdoor grotto. Beginning at midnight, Masses in the gym will be celebrated throughout the night during the torch run. Runners will pass through the suburbs of Rosemont, Schiller Park, River Grove, Elmwood Park and several other Chicago neighborhoods on their way. Upon arriving at their parishes, runners will place the torch at a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the “mañanitas” (songs that honor Mary, the Mother of God) will be sung, followed by Mass at approximately 5 a.m. Runners’ routes will be available prior to the start of this event. Complete schedule.
CONTACT: Fr. Miguel Martinez, 847-294-1806.

CARDINAL’S CHRISTMAS CONCERT – HOLY FAMILY CHURCH

A free Christmas Concert will be presented by The City Lights Orchestra under the direction of Rich Daniels, at Holy Family Parish, 1080 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago. The concert will include both secular and religious music celebrating the Christmas season. Doors will open to the public at 2 p.m. Open seating is on a first come, first served basis.
CONTACT: Deborah Kozak, Department of Stewardship & Development, 312-534-7615.

26TH ANNUAL ARCHDIOCESAN POSADA

The Office for Hispanic Catholics will celebrate the 26th Archdiocesan Posada at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior streets in Chicago.  *Posada (shelter in Spanish) commemorates the journey Mary and Joseph took from Nazareth to Bethlehem and reenacts the couple's search for shelter.  “Faithful Pilgrims: Witness of Faith,” is the theme of this year’s posada.  Visit facebook.com/HispanicMinistry. 
English Flyer | Spanish Flyer
CONTACT: Eduardo De La Torre, Office for Hispanic Catholics, 312-534-1080.

Advent to Epiphany: Celebrating the Christmas Cycle

From the Franciscans and St. Anthony Messenger Press

CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY ONLINE MINISTRIES 

Special Advent section in this weekly guide for daily prayer and reflection