“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)
Join us as we prepare for HIS arrival.
Advent is a period of preparation, extending over the four Sundays before Christmas. Advent comes from the Latin word meaning “coming.” Jesus is coming, and Advent is intended to be a season of preparation for His arrival. We hope you will visit the Friars’ Advent Reflection for the weekly resources to help you contemplate the true meaning of this sacred time of year.
Fr. Bob’s Thoughts for Advent
Fr. Bob’s Thoughts for the Fourth Week of Advent
In our society, and in many others, lighted candles are used when one or more of three things are present: joy, devotion and love. We light candles at birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries, and, of course, at Mass each week.
Fr. Bob’s Thoughts for the Third Week of Advent
During the 1960s and early 1970s, the “peace sign” seemed to be everywhere. It appeared on T-shirts, jewelry, flags. It was even painted on walls and stitched onto blue jeans. It’s a simple design – a circle divided by lines forming a kind of broken cross. It became a symbol of protest, hope and unity. The sign made a comeback in the 1990s, but few people today know its true origin or intended meaning.
Fr. Bob’s Thoughts for the Second Week of Advent
One phrase we often hear during the Christmas season is, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Interestingly, this line doesn’t appear in any of the Gospels, but St. Paul tells us that Jesus Himself taught this idea.
Fr. Bob’s Thoughts for the First Week of Advent
Horatio Alger was an author known for his rags-to-riches tales. He wrote stories about how the underdog rises to success through goodwill, hard work and determination. People have always been drawn to these kinds of stories: when the misfit becomes the star quarterback on the football team, or when the understudy takes the stage and steals the show.
Fr. Bob’s Thoughts for the Fourth Week of Advent
Laced throughout the bible, there is kind of a Cinderella theme, highlighting how God often works through many lowly, despised, and unlikely individuals.
Fr. Bob’s Thoughts for the Third Week of Advent
As we enter the Third Week of Advent, it’s impossible to ignore how Christmas has been commercialized and sanitized.
Fr. Bob’s Thoughts for the Second Week of Advent
Christmas holds a power that mere logic cannot explain; it is not a human invention. No one gathered and said, “Let’s create a holiday for everyone to be nicer to each other.”
Fr. Bob’s Thoughts for the First Week of Advent
It’s the first week of Advent, and as Christians, we reflect on why we celebrate the birth of Christ and prepare for Christmas. Why do we make so much of this celebration?