Advent services, programs, retreats and concerts

All Sundays of Advent: December 3, 10, 17, 24

Collegeville • All are invited to join the St. John’s Monastic Community for the Advent Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. and Sunday evening prayer at 5 p.m. in the Abbey Church.


First three Sundays of Advent: December 3, 10, 17

Little Falls • All are invited to attend the Advent liturgy at 8:30 a.m. with the Franciscan Sisters in
Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Francis Convent.

Onamia • All are invited to attend Solemn Advent Vespers with the Crosier Fathers and Brothers at 5 p.m. in Holy Cross Priory Church.

St. Joseph • All are invited to attend the Advent liturgy at 10:30 a.m. at St. Benedict’s Monastery. The Benedictine community and public will assemble in the Gathering Place to light the Advent candles followed by a procession into Sacred Heart Chapel prior to the beginning of Mass.


Fourth Sunday of Advent: Saturday evening, December 23

Little Falls • All are invited to attend the Advent liturgy at 4:15 p.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Francis Convent.

St. Joseph • All are invited to attend the Advent liturgy at 6:30 p.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel, assembling first in the Gathering Place, at St. Benedict’s Monastery.


Friday and Saturday, December 1 and 2

Fergus Falls • Our Lady of Victory Church hosts free Advent concert by Dan Schutte at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at the church. (Free will offering.) Schutte presents Advent retreat from 9 a.m. to noon at the church Dec. 2. ($20 registration at the door.)

North Prairie • Holy Cross Parish hosts an Advent celebration featuring Catholic holiday traditions and food from Poland, Germany and Mexico from 4 to 9 p.m. each day. The event includes crafts and a live Nativity. Joseph and Mary will arrive on a donkey at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1. (For information, call 320-584-5150.)


Sunday, December 3

Onamia • Community choir concert begins at 3 p.m. at Holy Cross Priory Church. Area musicians present joyful music in anticipation of the Christmas holidays. Free will offering.

St. Cloud • Holy Spirit Parish presents “Prepare the Way,” a free Advent concert with songs, readings and carols at 11 a.m. at the church. Performers include the Holy Spirit Adult Choir and Spirit Rings On Handbell Choir.


Thursdays, December 7, 14, 21

St. Joseph • Spirituality Center at St. Benedict’s Monastery hosts “A Prayerful Pause: Advent Tending” presented by Benedictine Sisters Mary Catherine Holicky and Eunice Antony from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Participants are invited to share the common prayer of “lectio” (prayerful reading) on the Gospels of the four Sundays of Advent, followed by a shared meal and fellowship. They will also meet with a sister spiritual companion for 30 minutes during each week of Advent. Fee, which includes meals, is $45 for the three sessions. (An initial session was held Nov. 30. Individuals who did not attend the first session are welcome to attend the final three.) Call 320-363-7112 or email spirituality@csbsju.edu to make individual arrangements or to register. Limited to 10 participants.


Friday, December 8

Little Falls • All are invited to attend the Feast of the Immaculate Conception liturgy at 11 a.m. with the Franciscan Sisters in the Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Francis Convent.

St. Joseph • Spirituality Center at St. Benedict’s Monastery offers “Feast of the Immaculate Conception: Day of Reflection,” from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., presented by Benedictine Sister Margaret Michaud. On this feast day, we celebrate Mary, the Mother of God, and the role she played in our salvation history. Participants may want to bring their Bibles. Fee is $55. Lunch is included. Call 320-363-7112 or email spirituality@csbsju.edu for information or to register.


Friday, December 8, to Sunday, December 10

Collegeville • St. John’s Abbey hosts Advent retreat titled “Parables and the Reign of God” led by Benedictine Abbot John Klassen, starting with supper on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and concluding after lunch on Sunday at 1 p.m. The parables tell us that it is in the midst of the everyday that our happiness and salvation are worked out. The story of our salvation lies inside the story of our everyday life. The cost is $195 for a single room, and $340 for a double room ($170 per person). For information or to register contact the Spiritual Life Office at 320-363-3929 or email spirlife@osb.org.


Sunday, December 10

Little Falls • The St. Francis Community Chorale presents a free Christmas Concert at 2 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Chapel at St. Francis Convent. Joining the Chorale will be the St. Francis Chamber Orchestra and the St. Francis Brass Ensemble.


Tuesday, December 12

Collegeville • All are invited to the Advent Reconciliation Service at 7 p.m. in the parish center of St. John the Baptist Church.


Friday, December 15

Little Falls • The St. Francis Preparatory, Concert and Chamber Orchestras present a free Christmas Concert featuring classical and Christmas music at 7 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Chapel at St. Francis Convent.


Sunday, December 17

Collegeville • All are invited to Lessons and Carols — readings and music for the Advent season — at 5 p.m. at St. John’s Abbey Church.

Onamia • Crosier Fathers and Brothers invite all to the National Shrine of St. Odilia at 9:30 a.m. for an Advent Healing Mass that includes the anointing of the sick and ritual blessing with the Relic of St. Odilia.

St. Cloud • All are invited to Advent Lessons and Carols at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral. This event includes readings, hymns, anthems, and prayers that mark events in the story of Redemption. (Bring the Infant Jesus figurines from your home Nativity scenes to be blessed.)


Tuesday, December 19

St. Cloud • All are invited to the Advent Reconciliation Service, with time for individual confession, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Author: The Visitor

The Visitor is the official newpaper for the Diocese of Saint Cloud.

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