John Roberto, LifelongFaith Associateswww.LifelongFaith.com jroberto@lifelongfaith.com

Journey through AdventFocusing Questions

How can we develop a parish plan for integrating social justice and global perspectives in the Advent Season?

How can we connect Advent in the parish with the home and daily life of people?

Social Justice in Advent Liturgy & the Lectionary

- Cycle B: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11• “Glad tidings to the poor, heal the brokenhearted,

liberty to captives, release to prisoners”• “Wrapped in a mantle of justice…”

Sacraments• Sacrament of Reconciliation

Rituals & Traditions• Las Posadas & Homeless/Refugees• Our Lady of Guadalupe & Solidarity• Christmas Music

Service Projects • Giving Tree / Gifts & Care for the Poor• Clothing & Food Drives & Care for the Poor

Connecting Parish-Home-Online

ParishCommunity

Home & Daily Life

OnlineDigital

Social Justice ThemeJustice Theme throughout Advent – Cycle B

Parish-wide theme – “Wrapped in a Mantle of Justice”• Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 (Week #3)• “Glad tidings to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, liberty to

captives, release to prisoners”• “Wrapped in a mantle of justice…”

Woven through. . . • Catechesis• Prayer• Reconciliation Service• Rituals & Traditions• Service• Sunday Worship

Local and Global Perspective Connecting Parish -- Home – Online

Parish Plan for AdventParish-wide Advent Festival

- Prepare all ages by immersing them in Advent “content”

- Engage people in an Advent justice/service project

Catechetical Programming

- Session in children & youth programming- Adult large group presentation & small group session

Worship - Homily, Music, Prayer of the Faithful

Justice & Service

- Giving Tree: Gifts for children and families locally + globally (CRS Gift of Hope Tree)

- Clothing and food drives locally & CRS Gift of Hope globally

- Alternative Christmas Gifts Fair (CRS Fair Trade Items)

Rituals & Prayer

- Our Lady of Guadalupe – Solidarity (across cultures and with the poor): international cultures festival – foods, music, stories and videos, art

Reconciliation Service

- Highlight Christian responsibility to the poor and vulnerable

An Advent Festival“Wrapped in a Mantle of Justice” (Isaiah 61)

1. All Ages Experience– Advent Wreath on each table– Advent prayer service focused on Isaiah 61– Introduction to Advent (“Advent in 2 minutes”)– Reflection on being a “mantle of justice”– All ages sharing

An Advent Festival2. Small Group Sessions– Gift of Hope Tree Activity (Children & Parents)– Poverty Today, Call to Justice, and Isaiah 61 (Teens)– Wrapped in a Mantle of Justice (Adults)

3. Justice/Service Projects for Advent– Local and Global Projects– Commitment to Action

4. Closing Prayer – Each person receives a “stole” of white or red

representing the “mantle of justice”

Resource: www.lifelongfaith.com/church-year-resources.html

Connecting Parish-Home-Online

ParishCommunity

Home & Daily Life

OnlineDigital

A Home & Daily Life Plan1. Praying – Weekly Advent Reflections (CRS)– Daily Prayers for Advent– Advent Devotional Journal– Prayers for the Advent Wreath– Prayer for Our Lady of Guadalupe (CRS)– Nativity Scene Prayer (CRS)

2. Celebrating Rituals– Weekly Table Rituals for Advent & Christmas– Jesse Tree– Advent Wreath

A Home & Daily Life Plan3. Serving– Advent Service Projects: local and global– Adopting a Family or Project (local and CRS)– Alternative Gift-Giving (CRS)– Adopting Fair Trade Products for Home

4. Learning– Advent Calendar– Reading a Bible Verse Daily (daily lectionary)– Conversation on the “Question of the Week”– Listening to a Podcast– Watching a Video – Reading Advent/Christmas Storybooks

Connecting Parish-Home-Online

ParishCommunity

Home & Daily Life

OnlineDigital

An Online Advent Plan

Busted Halo

An Advent Online Plan

An Advent Online Plan

An Advent Social Media Plan

Connecting Parish-Home-Online

ParishCommunity

Home & Daily Life

OnlineDigital