What Is Advent?

Today, Pope Francis will open the original Holy Door at St Peter's Basilica in Rome, the first time it has been opened since the turn of the century, to mark the official start of a year laden with symbolism for Catholics across the world:The Jubilee Year of Mercy.

So what does it mean? The clue to the aim of the Year of Mercy is in its name: a time for the Church itself and for Catholics everywhere to show mercy and compassion, in thought and in deed, and focus on forgiveness, reconciliation and doing good in concrete ways for the needy and those on the margins of society.

The crossing of the threshold of a Holy Door is a sign of spiritual renewal, and the passage from sin to grace.

Pope Francis has long signalled his wish to change the Church's approach from condemnation of wrongdoing to a Church more forgiving of its flock, and more understanding of the difficulties faced by believers today.

This extraordinary jubilee year is a practical way of giving expression to that wish, and creating a Church that is a "field hospital", healing and binding the wounds of its flock.

Announcing the extraordinary jubilee this March, the Pope said: "The greater the sin, the greater the love the Church must express," writing that the Holy Door is a "Door of Mercy, through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons and instils hope."

The Pope has also made clear he wants this jubilee to open a year of "fervent dialogue" between Christians, Muslims and Jews, so that all who believe in a merciful God show more mercy towards one another, driving out violence, disrespect and discrimination.

Jubilee years are rooted in the Old Testament tradition of freeing slaves and prisoners once every 50 years, a concept that died out within Judaism but was taken up by Pope Boniface VIII for the Catholic Church in 1300.

The last Jubilee was called by St John Paul II to mark the millennium, and this Holy Year of Mercy starts on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December 2015 and will end on the Feast of Christ the King on 20 November 2016

A PRAYER FOR THE

JUBILEE OF MERCY

BY POPE FRANCIS

Lord Jesus Christ,

you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father,

and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him.

Show us your face and we will be saved.

Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money;

the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things;

made Peter weep after his betrayal,

and assured Paradise to the repentant thief.

Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us,

the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman:

“If you knew the gift of God!”

You are the visible face of the invisible Father,

of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy:

let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified.

You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness

in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error:

let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.

Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing,

so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord,

and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor,

proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed,

and restore sight to the blind.

We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, 

through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy;

you who live and reign with the Father 

and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

Amen.

Advent: A Time of Preparation

Advent, which comes from the Latin word for "arrival" or "coming," is a period of preparation for the birth of our Lord. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and is the start of the Christmas season, which lasts through the Baptism of Our Lord. 

The first Sunday of Advent, November 29th this year, also marks the beginning of the liturgical year, the Church's "New Year's Day," at which time we change the cycle of readings we are using at Mass.  We are now in Cycle C of our readings.

Advent is a time of joyous anticipation, but also of penance and preparation for the great Christmas feast. The liturgical colour of the season is purple, a sign of penance, which is also used during Lent.

In preparation for Christ's birth at Christmas we celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on December 3th from 9:00am until 2:00pm.  Students and staff will have the opportunity to receive the grace that God's offers through this peace-filled Sacrament.

We often miss Advent's power because these December weeks are full of secular Christmas parties and preparations for Christmas.  Each year, the busyness of this season serves to distract us from having an Advent season that truly prepares us for the celebration of Christmas, with all its meaning. 

We pray...

Creator God in heaven, 

our hearts desire the warmth of your love 

and our minds are searching for the light of your Word.

Increase our longing for Christ our Saviour during this Advent Season 

And give us the strength to grow in love, 

that the dawn of his coming may find us rejoicing in his presence 

and welcoming the light of his truth. 

We pray that all our families find hope, love, joy and peace this holiday season.

We ask this through Christ our lord.  Amen.

Good Ste. Anne. Pray for Us.

Quote for Today!

We just have to work to be like the Lord.  

Look beyond and see the heart of those around us!

WFMP

When Faith Meets Pedagogy

It was a long but good day, travelling up to Toronto to the "When Faith Meets Pedagogy" Youth Forum on October 22,2015. Students from all our Catholic Schools travelled up to hear Mark Keilburger, co-founder of Free the Children, speak.

They participated in small group discussions and were able to bounce ideas and best practices off Catholic Leadership students from around the province.  Here, some of our students got to take photos with Mark and so did some of our board Campus Ministers.

Mya, Marlee, Mark Keilburger, Matt and Morgan at WFMP Youth Forum (left) 

Mrs. Fuerth (St. Anne), Mark Keilburger, Mrs. Butera (Cardinal Carter) and Mrs. Presello (Assumption). 

REtreats

 Grade 12s On Retreat!!

November 5th turned out to be a fabulous weather day for Mr. Richardson's French Immersion class. Just one of 5 gr.12 classes that attended retreat this semester, the students had the opportunity to look to the past, think about today and discern tomorrow.   

 The weather was so beautiful we spent much of the day outside on the grounds of Holy Family Retreat Center on Lake Erie.  The center is located in the little town of Oxley.  Some of you may remember the Oxley retreat center from your high school days!

 As explained to the students, to "Retreat" is the act of withdrawing, as into safety or privacy; to draw back;  a period of retirement for religious exercises and meditation.  

We need to give ourselves the chance to step away from the world that is busy and crazy and spend some quality time with our own thoughts and feelings, opening our hearts to hear what God has to say to us. 

To have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery and to have the chance to share Friendship, Fellowship and Faith made for a great day. The camaraderie amongst the students was clearly evident. 

Mr. Richardson and Mrs. Fuerth enjoyed the day tremendously and were so honoured to be there with the students.

So..   Do what the gr.12s did!!  

For a few minutes or maybe a few hours . . . 

Turn off the world, Unplug the earbuds, and just listen.

What's Happening in the Local Church - Good Shepherd Parish

On the third Saturday of each month, at The Good Shepherd Parish (St. Gregory site), at the 5:00 pm mass, Teens of all ages are invited to help lead our people in worship in several ways...

We need Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Musicians, Choir Members, Cantors,  Altar Servers, Greeters and ‘Techies’’ for the sound board & power points. Will you respond to the invitation to take part in any of these liturgical roles?

Our next Youth Mass will be on October 17th, 2015 at 5pm and Good Shepherd Parish would love to welcome YOU! Mostly, service brings a great sense of purpose and personal fulfilment. A second benefit is that it also offers credit toward your 40 required volunteer service hours.

Our talents are gifts from God and offering or giving back a little time and talent, is a great way to give thanks and praise to our Father who loves us so dearly, and to feel His Holy Spirit working through you!  For all who are interested in sharing your time and talents, please sign up for this in Campus Ministry or in room 156.  If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Fuerth in Campus ministry, or Mrs. Villella, in room 156.