Second Week of Advent C

2nd Week of Advent

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Start with the Basics (Click here to learn more)

Prayer of the Week
This week our focus is on conversational prayer. A perfect time for families to share this type of prayer is at bedtime. Discussion groups can use it as well. It requires trust between the people praying, and just a little faith. God will take care of the rest. (Learn more)

Living Our Faith

We're continuing our review of social justice this week. The sixth theme of Catholic social teaching is: Solidarity

According to the US Council of Catholic Bishops, "We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that 'if you want peace, work for justice.' The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict. "

We find this the most difficult Catholic social teaching to practice. Intellectually it's pretty easy to picture all people as our brothers and sisters and to support everyone's human rights. Then we see pictures of victims of ethnic cleansing and wonder helplessly what we can do. We hear of offensive child labor laws in countries run by tyrants and feel totally useless. What can one family do to foster solidarity?

We made a list of a few things to do this week:

Check out the Catholic Relief Services web site.
Pray for oppressed people who are contributing to our lives, such as the many people in China who do not enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy.
Pray for the people who are victims of ethnic cleansing, and for guidance for our leaders who may be able to positively influence a deplorable situation.

If you have some other suggestions, please send them to admin@cominghomecatholic.com.

Celebrate All Year Long! (Click here to learn more)

Saints to Celebrate

Sunday, Monday, Friday, and Saturday use your violet candle for Advent! (Click here to learn more about Advent)
Tuesday, December 12 use a white candle Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of the Americas. Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego, a Native American in the early 1500s, and asked him to build a chapel at that spot. She gave him roses to take to his bishop. When he opened his cloak to give the bishop the roses, the flowers were gone and an image of Our Lady was on the cloak instead. Many parishes in North and South America are celebrating this week!
Wednesday, December 13 use a red candle for the memorial of St. Lucy. Very little is known about her except that she was a young martyr who was tortured and killed for her faith. A common celebration for this feast day is having the eldest daughter cook breakfast for the family. We're not sure where this tradition came from, but we practice it joyfully!
Thursday, December 14 use a white candle for the memorial of St. John of the Cross. St. John lived in the 1500s and passionately preached the Gospel message. For that he was imprisoned; in prison he wrote incredible poems and spiritual prose which live on today.


These lovely candles are available for purchase through Wolfe's Baldwin Brass Center Ordering candles from this link financially supports this site. Thank you!	This is a wonderful movie for family night during the Advent and Christmas seasons. One of our favorites!	This movie is another family night winner. It is the beautiful story of St. Bernadette, the young woman to whom Our Lady appeared in Lourdes, France, and said She was "The Immaculate Conception."

Devotion of the month

We have enjoyed decorating our Jesse Tree so far. It is a lovely tradition which reminds us of Old Testament stories and their meaning in our salvation history. Just place an ornament on the tree each day of Advent and read the associated Old Testament passages. Click here to prepare a Jesse Tree

Keep Building that Faith!! (click here to learn more)

Start the Week off Right (prepare for the Sunday Scriptures)

Barush 5:1-9

Phil 1:4-6, 8-11

Lk 3:1-6

Baruch was the secretary of the prophet Jeremiah. The biblical book attributed to him, although probably written by a later writer using his name, takes place just after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (587 B.C.). This is a reading full of hope for a group of people who are devastated. It promises the future will be peaceful and just. In these dark days of winter, our Light is about to come. Luke's Gospel shows us that the darkness is over. The great transition from the old age to the new age is at hand. John is both the final Old Testament prophet and the first New Testament prophet. This new testament lets us know that we are all the chosen people. Surprise!

Paul, too, gives a message of joy, despite his imprisonment for teaching about Christ at the time. He implores us to be concerned with love and mercy, and to discern what is truly of value. What a perfect reading at this time of year!

Daily Dose of Scripture (our picks of the week)

Is 40:25-31
What a comforting reading. You may be feeling a bit overwhelmed these days if you are rushing around trying to get everything ready for the Christmas season. Isaiah reminds us that no matter how stressed, how harried and weary we get, God does not feel that way. He loves us unceasingly and is always there to give us strength. It's time to rejoice in His warmth.
Lk 5:17-26
The paralyzed man is lowered to Jesus from the rooftop. What does Jesus say? "Your sins are forgiven." One wonders what the paralyzed man thought. We know what the Pharisees thought - they were appalled at the gall of Jesus. But did the paralyzed man understand the incredible gift he had been given? Was he disappointed? Did it all happen so quickly that he did not even realize what was going on. Suddenly he was the subject of dispute between Jesus and the religious leaders. Did he feel like he was being ignored? Was it all out of his control? Then, to prove a point to the Pharisees, Jesus cured the man's physical disability. Which meant more to the man?

Somerset Maugham, 20th century writer, is reported to have said: I wish I were Catholic. I could have my sins forgiven and then leave them behind. (paraphrase) It is only required that we attend the Sacrament of Reconciliation once a year, usually during Lent. Why not give yourself the great gift of leaving the old behind and starting anew this lovely season. Leave behind the old baggage and be renewed. It is a wonderful gift to give to yourself and your spiritual life.

Open that Catechism!

Many people are uncomfortable with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. However, it can be the most rewarding and powerful part of our journey to complete conversion. As usual, the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains the many forms of penance in paragraphs #1434-1439. It is worth a few minutes of your time.

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