Advent Begins

As we begin the new liturgical year we also start to prepare for the birth of our Savior with Advent. Helen McLoughlin wrote in 1950 a book titled "Advent and Christmas in a Catholic Home" in which she outlines the challenge of Catholics in today's world, where it seems that with the business of our days there is less time to devote to the spiritual life of the family. As Catholics, it is up to us to teach our children this by living our faith, both inside and outside the home, and to do this I have listed some activities that you and your family can try to get the full spiritual feeling this Advent: the Advent Wreath, the empty manger, the Jesse Tree, St. Nicholas Day, the Christ candle or the Mary Candle, St. Lucy cakes, the Nativity, Christmas baking and/or the blessing of the Christmas tree (please click here to get the details of each activity. Keep watching for the "Great O's beginning on the Dec. 17.