Basilisa Marie Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 I've been saddled with running an Advent festival/celebration/thingy at my work parish for the families, and the person who was running it last was a bit disorganized and no longer around. A lot of people have told me bits and pieces about what used to happen, but it all seems very crafty without much substance, most of the crafts being very time and effort-intensive on my end. So, Phatmass, give me your ideas. How do you, your family, and your church celebrate Advent? I'll be selling advent candles, rings, and we'll be making advent wreaths. I'm also looking for a nice blessing for the wreaths, if any of you know of one. The shindig is going to be on the 30th (first Sunday of Advent). Thanks in advance. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 You know you've been reading up on too much Wicca to debate your Wiccan friend when you read "the crafts" and your first thought is the five elements of magic. :| As for how my parish celebrates it, we celebrate it with Mass, and not much else. We don't really have any celebration, and I've never even heard of a parish celebration during Advent, to be honest. It sounds quite intriguing to me. Matthew Kelly has written a very good and short read called "Rediscovering Advent", so perhaps you should have copies of that book for people to buy cheaply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted November 7, 2014 Author Share Posted November 7, 2014 You know you've been reading up on too much Wicca to debate your Wiccan friend when you read "the crafts" and your first thought is the five elements of magic. :| As for how my parish celebrates it, we celebrate it with Mass, and not much else. We don't really have any celebration, and I've never even heard of a parish celebration during Advent, to be honest. It sounds quite intriguing to me. Matthew Kelly has written a very good and short read called "Rediscovering Advent", so perhaps you should have copies of that book for people to buy cheaply. LOL don't even get me started about some of my pagan friends' "HURR HURR CHRISTMAS IS CULTURAL APPROPRIATION FROM PAGANS" nonsense. The joys of living in godless territory. :) What? You guys don't even do advent wreaths or sell candles? I know wreaths started as a German Lutheran tradition, but we Catholics have totally co-opted it and made it our own, with liturgically appropriate colors and everything! My bishop wrote a little booklet with lots of Advent reflections - there are big boxes of them in the parish office, I should probably find out what we're doing with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 LOL don't even get me started about some of my pagan friends' "HURR HURR CHRISTMAS IS CULTURAL APPROPRIATION FROM PAGANS" nonsense. The joys of living in godless territory. :) What? You guys don't even do advent wreaths or sell candles? I know wreaths started as a German Lutheran tradition, but we Catholics have totally co-opted it and made it our own, with liturgically appropriate colors and everything! My bishop wrote a little booklet with lots of Advent reflections - there are big boxes of them in the parish office, I should probably find out what we're doing with them. There is a parish I sometimes goes to which sells Advent wreaths and candles, but my parish doesn't, and there isn't like a celebration or something. In my old diocese, there is none of this to be found in any parish. But let's not get on the long-winded topic of how messed up my old diocese is. ;) Kansas is very German, so you'd think Catholics everywhere would have an Advent wreath with candles, but many don't even know about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spem in alium Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 (edited) Selling wreaths and candles sounds nice. My parish runs a program during Lent and Advent which is kind of similar to a Bible study. We get into small groups, go through the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday and discuss it, usually over a meal/drinks at someone's home. There's a booklet each person gets with questions, prompts and reflections. It's a lot of fun and really enlightening. I've also done Advent reflections or retreats in the past which have been great, too. Not sure if this kind of thing would work for you, but it really gets our whole community ready for Christmas. Edited November 7, 2014 by Spem in alium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountrySteve21 Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 I always thought Advent was like a mini-Lent. So fasting is a way to 'celebrate' Advent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 This isn't really an "event," but last year I followed this online Advent calendar for adults. (I LOVED Advent calendars as a kid, and miss them.) The meditations are short and easy to read, but thought-provoking. I actually followed through and read them every day. I'm sure many of you do far more than this to observe Advent, but for me, this online Advent calendar was just what I needed. http://www.loyolapress.com/advent-calendar-for-adults.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spem in alium Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 This isn't really an "event," but last year I followed this online Advent calendar for adults. (I LOVED Advent calendars as a kid, and miss them.) The meditations are short and easy to read, but thought-provoking. I actually followed through and read them every day. I'm sure many of you do far more than this to observe Advent, but for me, this online Advent calendar was just what I needed. http://www.loyolapress.com/advent-calendar-for-adults.htm Thanks for sharing! I think I might do this myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriela Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 While we're on this topic, if anyone knows where I can buy a really nice wooden Advent candle-holder wreath-bowl thing that isn't one of the 5 mass-manufactured pieces of junk all the Catholic stores are importing from China, that'd be awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 I get all my stuff from Autom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Credo in Deum Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I've never seen wreaths or candles sold. At home though we break out the wreaths, candles, Advent Gregorian Chant, and the nativity set complete with the wise men starting at the far end of the house and moving closer and closer to Christ every Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgnatiusofLoyola Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I've never seen wreaths or candles sold. At home though we break out the wreaths, candles, Advent Gregorian Chant, and the nativity set complete with the wise men starting at the far end of the house and moving closer and closer to Christ every Sunday. I don't know about wreaths, but right now the Summit Dominicans have handmade Advent candles available for pre-sale. I'm surprised the candles are still available, because they sell out quickly every year. (The nuns make only a limited quantity.) http://summitdominicans.3dcartstores.com/ADVENT-CANDLES-_c_50.html While you're there, check out the whole Cloister Shoppe. There are lots of hand made candles, soaps, and other items, both for Advent and for all-year use. The Shoppe sells lots of other things, including books and handmade wooden pens (gorgeous!). The items in the Cloister Shoppe are the highest quality, and make great gifts and stocking stuffers The Cloister Shoppe is one of the primary ways that the nuns support their life of prayer. If you visit Vocation Station you know the Vocation Director of the Summit Dominicans--Sister Mary Catharine. In fact, items you purchase may have been made (or packaged) by Sister Mary Catharine herself! Note: I was not paid to make this post. However, I have bought so many items from the Cloister Shoppe that I have to ration myself! There are so many things there that I love! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriela Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I get all my stuff from Autom. Yeah, I checked them, but most of their stuff is the Chinese imports. I don't know about wreaths, but right now the Summit Dominicans have handmade Advent candles available for pre-sale. I'm surprised the candles are still available, because they sell out quickly every year. (The nuns make only a limited quantity.) http://summitdominicans.3dcartstores.com/ADVENT-CANDLES-_c_50.html While you're there, check out the whole Cloister Shoppe. There are lots of hand made candles, soaps, and other items, both for Advent and for all-year use. The Shoppe sells lots of other things, including books and handmade wooden pens (gorgeous!). The items in the Cloister Shoppe are the highest quality, and make great gifts and stocking stuffers The Cloister Shoppe is one of the primary ways that the nuns support their life of prayer. If you visit Vocation Station you know the Vocation Director of the Summit Dominicans--Sister Mary Catharine. In fact, items you purchase may have been made (or packaged) by Sister Mary Catharine herself! Note: I was not paid to make this post. However, I have bought so many items from the Cloister Shoppe that I have to ration myself! There are so many things there that I love! I LOVE their shop, but unfortunately cannot afford a single item in it! I think I'm outta' luck... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinytherese Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Jesse Tree http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=545 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Credo in Deum Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Jesse Tree http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=545 Looks like a Judeo-Christian chia cactus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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