Looking ahead: Advent opportunities in the diocese

Saturday Vigils of Advent: Nov. 26, Dec. 3, 10, 17

St. Joseph • Join the Benedictine Sisters for a weekly Advent Reflections email series by signing up at https://bit.ly/3TVYMpg. Every week during Advent they will share a recorded reflection from a sister via email and on their website and social media channels. The email will be sent at 7 p.m. each Saturday — the same time a reflection will be given in the Oratory during their Saturday vigil.

All Sundays of Advent: Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18

Collegeville • 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. (All Masses are livestreamed at saintjohnsabbey.org and are also archived on YouTube under the title Saint John’s Abbey.)

Little Falls • Join the Franciscan sisters to celebrate Advent liturgies at 9:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Chapel. (Also livestreamed: search YouTube for Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, MN.)

Onamia • Join the Crosier Fathers and Brothers for Solemn Advent Vespers at 5 p.m. in Holy Cross Priory Church.

St. Joseph • Join the Benedictine sisters for Advent liturgies 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.

Wednesday, Nov. 30

St. Joseph • The Spirituality Center at St. Benedict’s Monastery hosts a virtual “Advent Sacred Pause” from 11 a.m. to noon for four Wednesdays, starting today. Led by Benedictine Sisters Mary Catherine Holicky and Eunice Antony, participants will gather to share the common prayer of “lectio divina” (prayerful reading) using the Gospels of the Sundays of Advent. Meeting with a sister spiritual companion for 30 minutes each week of Advent is optional. (Participants will need access to a device with Zoom capability.) Fee is $60. (Limited to 8 participants.) Other dates include Dec. 7, 14 and 21. Register at https://bit.ly/3Te4Fh9 or call 320-363-7112.

Thursday, Dec. 1

St. Joseph • The Spirituality Center at St. Benedict’s Monastery hosts an in-person “Advent Sacred Pause” from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. for four Thursdays starting today. Led by Benedictine Sisters Mary Catherine Holicky and Eunice Antony, participants will gather to share the common prayer of “lectio divina” (prayerful reading) using the Gospels of the Sundays of Advent. Prayer is followed by a shared meal and fellowship. Meeting with a sister spiritual companion for 30 minutes each week of Advent is optional. Fee is $100. (Limited to 8 participants.) Other dates include Dec. 8, 15 and 22. Register at https://bit.ly/3D58y2s or call 320-363-7112.

Monday, Dec. 5

St. Joseph • The Spirituality Center at St. Benedict’s Monastery hosts “Celebrating, Singing and Praying Advent” from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Led by Carol Meier, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America liturgical music minister studying at the St. John’s School of Theology, this Advent retreat will use the gift of music as a tool for worship, meditation and community-building. It will be a time for singing, silence and fellowship. Fee is $90, which includes a noon meal at the monastery. (Limited to 10 participants.) Register at https://bit.ly/3MGHZDS or call 320-363-7112.

Saturday, Dec. 10

St. Cloud • Join the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls for an Advent Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Franciscan Welcoming House (1600 11th Ave. S.). For more information call Sister Jan at 320-240-6184.

Sunday, Dec. 11 

Little Falls • St. Francis Community Chorale presents a free Christmas concert at 2 p.m. at St. Francis Convent.

Onamia • Join the Crosier Fathers and Brothers and the Parish of Holy Cross for an Advent Healing Mass that includes the anointing of the sick and ritual blessing with the relic of St. Odilia at 9 a.m. at the National Shrine of St. Odilia.

St. Cloud • “Lesson and Carols” — readings and music for the Advent season — at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Friday, Dec. 16

Little Falls • The St. Francis Orchestras presents a free Christmas concert at 7 p.m. at St. Francis Convent.

Sunday, Dec. 18 

Collegeville • “Lessons and Carols” — readings and music for the Advent season — at 5 p.m. at St. John’s Abbey Church.

Tuesday, Dec. 20

St. Cloud • Celebrate God’s love and forgiveness at the Advent reconciliation service at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Photo: CNS photo/Lisa Johnston, St Louis Review

Author: The Central Minnesota Catholic

The Central Minnesota Catholic is the magazine for the Diocese of St. Cloud.

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