I.  Advent to the “Max”: Know that God is present with you and ready to converse. Saint Ignatius taught his followers to seek God in all things. Spend an extra 10 minutes in prayer.  Reflect on the daily Scriptures. Go to daily Mass at least once a week. Make time for meaningful fasting. Write a thank you card to someone. Take a tag from our Giving Tree. Forgive someone. Forgive yourself. Celebrate God‘s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Exercise. Watch less TV.  Fast from social media. Listen to God. Feast on Eucharist. Take a walk with Jesus. Take take a walk with a friend.  Listen to another person. Call to mind the presence of God within you. Recognize a child, a teenager. Create an Advent wreath. Breathe deeply. Spend time in silence. Plan to go Christmas caroling. Go to a weekday Mass.

II.  Best Advent Ever! Along with the shopping, baking, decorating, visiting, and gathering, why not allow Best Advent Ever, a free email program that will help you prepare for Christmas in a different way.  Beginning the first Sunday of Advent, December 1, and continuing every day until December 26, you will receive short inspirational videos, practical tips, or free Christmas music that will help you “s l o w  d o w n” during this bustling Advent/Christmas season to focus on what’s really important in life.  It’s free! To sign up or learn more about the Best Advent Ever, visit https://dynamiccatholic.com/best-advent-ever, or call 859–980-7900. See the back of the calendar insert for more resources.

III.  Festival of Lessons and Carols is a wonderful opportunity to hear the Word of God, interspersed with hymns and choral music.  Kentucky Wesleyan College, under the direction of the capable Dennis Jewett, will present this inspiring service as part of our Arts at the Cathedral series. Please join us at 7:30pm this Thursday and Friday, December 5th or 6th at St. Stephen Cathedral. There is a small admission fee of $5 each for students and seniors, and $10 for adults.

IV.  In Memory/Honor of: an intimate and spiritual way to remember a loved one is to make a donation toward our altar flowers for Christmas. This is also an appropriate way to honor someone living. You can sign up electronically on WeShare or use the envelope in the in your tithing packet marked “flowers for Christmas” or drop an envelope in the collection basket (or mail), with the name of the person being “remem-bered” or “honored” and your name. These flowers—living memorials—will grace our sanctuary and church throughout the Christmas season!

V.  Retreating! One of our spiritual obligations as priests is to make a serious retreat each year.  I will be away from the parish December 2-7 making an individually directed Ignatian retreat. It’s a time to reflect, think, and pray in an atmosphere of silence, using the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. I ask you to remember me in prayer especially this week, and I will hold you in my heart. You will be in good hands with the capable Father Sinoj Pynadath, and a wonderful, eager to serve pastoral team. 

 

Mark your calendar—our Advent Communal Reconciliation will be celebrated on Sunday, December 22nd at 2PM. Other services listed on page 6.