Busy Catholic's
2018 Online Advent Retreat
INTRODUCTION
Dear Friends,
Welcome and thank you for participating in our 2018 Online Advent Retreat. Our hope is that, by participating in this year's retreat, you will come to understand and appreciate the Christmas event of Christ's birth in a deeper and more personal way.
You may use the retreat at any time and in any environment that is convenient and conducive to your personal prayer and reflection. You may also use the retreat in a family or faith-sharing environment.
Welcome and thank you for participating in our 2018 Online Advent Retreat. Our hope is that, by participating in this year's retreat, you will come to understand and appreciate the Christmas event of Christ's birth in a deeper and more personal way.
You may use the retreat at any time and in any environment that is convenient and conducive to your personal prayer and reflection. You may also use the retreat in a family or faith-sharing environment.
To access the daily reflections, click on the appropriate day in the column at the right.
Although you may use the daily reflections at any time and in any way you
wish, here is one way in which you might maximize the potential of this year's
retreat.
• Focus. As you begin, spend a moment or two remembering the things you are setting aside for the time being in order to engage in the day's reflection.
• Read the day's Scripture reading. Look for words, phrases or images which catch your attention. Ask yourself: how does this reading add to my understanding or appreciation for the Christmas event?
• Read the reflection from Pope Francis. Pause for a moment or two, and then read it again. What is the pope's point? How does it add to my understanding or appreciation for the Christmas event?
• Read the reflection questions. Choose one to ponder this day. Notice ideas or responses which occur to you throughout the day. At any point during the day, share your impressions or insights with other retreat participants by adding them to the "Comment" section at the bottom of the page.
• Conclude your reflection by reading the Closing Prayer. If it is convenient, come back to the Closing Prayer and read it again at the end of the day.
Remember that some days may be more fruitful than others. The value of a retreat like this is the cumulative effect it has on our understanding and appreciation for the great event of Christ's birth which we will celebrate at Christmas. Often enough, this will not even occur to us until well after the retreat is over. Be waiting. Be listening.
• Focus. As you begin, spend a moment or two remembering the things you are setting aside for the time being in order to engage in the day's reflection.
• Read the day's Scripture reading. Look for words, phrases or images which catch your attention. Ask yourself: how does this reading add to my understanding or appreciation for the Christmas event?
• Read the reflection from Pope Francis. Pause for a moment or two, and then read it again. What is the pope's point? How does it add to my understanding or appreciation for the Christmas event?
• Read the reflection questions. Choose one to ponder this day. Notice ideas or responses which occur to you throughout the day. At any point during the day, share your impressions or insights with other retreat participants by adding them to the "Comment" section at the bottom of the page.
• Conclude your reflection by reading the Closing Prayer. If it is convenient, come back to the Closing Prayer and read it again at the end of the day.
Remember that some days may be more fruitful than others. The value of a retreat like this is the cumulative effect it has on our understanding and appreciation for the great event of Christ's birth which we will celebrate at Christmas. Often enough, this will not even occur to us until well after the retreat is over. Be waiting. Be listening.
This year's Advent retreat is adapted
from the reflection booklet The Savior
Among Us
and is published by special arrangement with Creative Publications for the Parish.
Reflection questions created by Dave Cushing.
and is published by special arrangement with Creative Publications for the Parish.
Reflection questions created by Dave Cushing.
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