Advent Ideas

[Gabriela]

Looks like a Judeo-Christian chia cactus.

 

rotfl

[beatitude]

At my parish in the UK there is a beautiful penitential service in Advent. They bring in extra priests to hear confessions, we sing Advent hymns and hear a few readings, and there is time for silent prayer. We have Adoration all the way through. This is a popular service even with people who don't normally go to confession. Maybe you could do something similar. It is also a good way to introduce parishioners to Adoration if they are not so familiar with it.

 

Advent is also a good time to think of people who are not so fortunate, especially in cold climates. We are waiting for the birth of our hope, so we should take our hope out there to others. You could arrange teams of volunteers to take soup and sandwiches out to people living on the street (maybe with a Holy Hour before?), or get your church taking part in something like Operation Christmas Child (sending shoeboxs of gifts to kids in developing countries who are unlikely to get presents otherwise). One year some people from my university chaplaincy went to do carol singing in a centre for refugees and asylum seekers. This was especially welcome among the Christian refugees, who were so homesick for their families and worried that their families might not be safe, although refugees of all religions came.

 

You could also do an Advent reading group or Bible study. For more crafty activities, I really love calligraphy, and this is popular with teenagers, I find - calligraphing their own Christmas cards.

[An Historian]

I always thought Advent was like a mini-Lent. So fasting is a way to 'celebrate' Advent.

Advent is penitential season but western Catholics have not observed an Advent fast for centuries. It'd be a lovely thing to do though.

I'll be celebrating Advent but no celebrating Christmas throughout the season. :P

[IgnatiusofLoyola]

 

I LOVE their shop, but unfortunately cannot afford a single item in it!

 

 

I think I'm outta' luck...

 

Many of the Cloister Shoppe soaps are $4.00 or $5.00, but yes, bar soaps can be found for less elsewhere. It's tough to be on a strict budget!

 

However, the Summit Cloister Shoppe soaps are very high quality, hard milled soaps, and they last a long time. And, the scents are wonderful! Plus, I like the idea of using products that were hand made with prayer and love. For example, every time I use the Cloister Shoppe's "Mary's Mantle" soap, I think of Mary. I think of the extra dollar or two I pay for the soaps as a donation to the monastery.

 

I also really love the Cloister Shoppe's candles. They have wonderful scents and last a long time. Plus, after the candle is used up, the glass holding the candle is a very high quality drinking glass. The wax from the candle comes off easily, and the drinking glass is better quality than most of the glasses in my kitchen!

 

I think of Cloister Shoppe products as "small luxuries" that also help support religious life. The products are packaged beautifully, so they are wonderful as stocking stuffers or if you want to give someone a small gift.

 

And, once in awhile, the nuns have a sale.

 

Obviously, the items in the Cloister Shoppe are will not appeal to everyone, but that's okay. I know the Summit Dominican nuns would be just as appreciative of prayers for their Community, especially their two new postulants.

 

[Amppax]

Hey Basilisa, my girlfriend seems to be saddled with the same thing, although she's not in charge, and it seems like they've pretty much got everything figured out. If you like, I could put you in contact with her, and you could swap ideas. 

 

Edit: just PM me, and we can figure something out. 

Edited November 10, 2014 by Amppax