Advent: A Season of Preparation
We are all familiar with Advent as that vague and extra busy time prior to Christmas, but did you know that Advent is also a time to grow deeper in prayer? Christmas is the reception of the child Jesus, and so during Advent we prepare our hearts with prayer and acts of charity to better welcome the Christ-child into our hearts. Here are some opportunities for you to consider this season:
Sacraments
Reflection
Service
Sacraments
Daily Mass is offered Monday-Friday in the Chapel at 12:10pm
December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. This is a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass times are 12:10pm and 5:15pm. There is also a school Mass at 8:15am
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is available on Thursdays 11:15am-12:00pm and on Saturdays 3:30pm to 4:00pm
Sunday, November 30th at 3:30pm, a Communal Reconciliation Service will be offered at St. Pius X Church in Rochester. This is a great opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to Christmas
Christmas Eve Mass times are 4:00pm; 6:00pm with the Children’s Choir; 9:00pm Carols with the Christmas Choir and Mass at 9:30pm
Christmas Day Mass is at 10:30am
Reflection
How to Advent - short video series on Formed.org. Learn about where Advent comes from and the different ways to dive deeper into Advent.
Waiting in Joyful Hope - Pick up your daily reflection book from the Gathering space or the Parish Center
Pray the St. Andrew Novena! Download the prayer here.
“Creation Awaits with Eager Expectation“ - An Advent collection of 26 daily short prayers and reflections based on Romans 8:19 (“For creation awaits with eager expectation for the revelation of the children of God”) written by an incredibly diverse group of U.S. Catholics. Register here to receive the 2025 Advent resource by mid-November.
Advent Simplicity Challenge - This Advent, commit to simplicity. In a season that can mistakenly be focused on gifts and consumption, explore ways to live simply as we hopefully prepare for the coming of Jesus and the restoration of the earth. This year, we’ll be mixing in new daily challenges, as well as accompanying PDFs for folks who prefer not to use the interactive calendar.
St. Paul Street Evangelization Advent Challenge: an activity a day throughout Advent.
All Saints Club Dec. 7th 10:30am to 11 :10am Gather with others to learn about St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Discuss with others and grow in community!
Family Night: Pray the Living Rosary - December 17, 6:00pm to 7:00pm Meet in the church. Each person will become a bead on our living rosary while we pray the Joyful Mysteries as we prepare to celebrate the Incarnation!
Reflections on Advent/Christmas Through Works of Art - Thursdays 6:00pm-7:00pm Gather with others to discuss and view sacred art.
Movie Night: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Monday Dec 29, 6:00pm to 8:00pm All are welcome to join us in the St. John’s Fellowship space to watch The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Bring blankets, chairs, and whatever helps you feel comfortable. Youth 5th grade and under need to be accompanied by an adult.
Family Night: Live Epiphany Play Wednesday January 7 6:00pm to 7:00pm Meet in the gym. Children (and the young-at-heart!) will act out the story of the Epiphany of the Magi. Adults and teens are needed for planning and costume/set preparation; contact Laura if you're able to help in advance.
Service
Adopt a Family: Adopt A Family Program is serving 15 people through St. Johns this year. The folks served include: Families & single-parent families, refugees, families in transition, individuals residing in group homes and single individuals. The suggested spending guideline is around $50-$75 per individual “adopted”. Wish lists will be available mid- November. Gifts will need to be purchased, wrapped, and delivered to St. John’s by December 3. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4BADA729A3FE3-51531719-stjohns
Jeremiah Program Winter Wishes: We will also be “adopting” several families who are with the Jeremiah Program “Winter Wishes”. Wish lists, which will contain a short description of the item and link to where you can purchase it online, will be available early November. Sponsors will receive a gift list totaling approximately $125 per individual child, and up to $175 for a JP Mom. Gift drop off, to Jeremiah Program, is the first week of December: Monday 2nd – Friday 6th. Keep this in mind when you’re ordering your gifts – the sooner the better relative to supply chain issues and delays! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4BADA729A3FE3-52686238-jeremiah
Christmas Anonymous: Christmas Anonymous is a great way to help families in need in Olmsted County. It’s 100% volunteer led. There are many dates/times that you can sign up to volunteer.
Jeremiah Program Cook 4 Kids December 2: Join us as we cook and serve a meal to single mothers at the Jeremiah Program.
Channel One Tuesday December 2 6:00pm to 8:00pm: Join our monthly group of parishioners as they pack food at Channel One
Giving Tree: In the Gathering space, check out our Catholic Charities Giving Tree. Take an ornament and follow the instructions to help those in need.