FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT: CALL TO JUSTICE
Introduction
The season of Advent, in our southern hemisphere, has a strong appeal to many of us. It has something to do with the warmth and light of the summer sun, the end of the civil year, the beginning of a new Church season, and the anticipation of Christmas as we celebrate CHRIST: Christ having come, Christ present with us and Christ coming at the end of time.
Lighting of Candle
Click here to view the lighting of the 1st candle.
Click here to listen to the explanation below.
To mark the countdown of these four Advent weeks as we journey towards Christmas, the feast of the Incarnation, we light a candle each week. This Week 1, we begin by lighting the Candle of Justice, a beautiful and rich purple candle — a sign that we are called to act. Justice begins when we listen to the cry of the disadvantaged and respond with compassion, courage, and commitment.
To view the video of our student reading, click here.
Week 1: A reading from St Charles Borromeo (Sixteenth century)
Dear friends, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace and reconciliation: the great season of Advent. This is the time eagerly awaited by our forbears and prophets, the time that Holy Anna and Holy Simeon longed to see.
This is the season that the church has always celebrated with special solemnity. We too should always observe it with faith and love, offering praise and thanksgiving to God for the mercy and love shown to us in this Advent mystery.
Blessing
May our Advent God bless the work of all involved in the Good Samaritan ministries in the Philippines.
May God bring hope to all who cry for justice.
May the nearness of God bless us now and always. Amen.
Refrain
Text: Erica R Marshall 1997. Sing the Seasons of Liturgy and Life.
Tune: Maranatha. Erica R Marshall © Willow Connection
All rights reserved. Reprinted under One License#A-640636
Resources used:
Diane Bergant. The Word for Every Season. Reflections on the Lectionary Readings. Paulist Press, USA 2010.
Verna A. Holyhead. Building on Rock; Welcoming the word in Year A. Australia, John Garratt Publishing 2006.
Flor McCarthy. New Sunday and Holy Day Liturgies, Year A. Dublin, Dominican Publications, 2019.
Barbara Reid. Abiding Word, Sunday Reflections for Year A. LTP, Collegeville, Minnesota 2012.
SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT: CALL TO REPENT AND LAMENT
Introduction
This second week of our countdown marks journey towards our celebration of the coming of the Lord – not just for his coming in Bethlehem and at the end of time, but for all the various ways and guises in which he comes into our lives every day.
Lighting of Candle
Click here to view the lighting of the 2nd candle
Click here to listen to the explanation below
This Week 2, we light the Candle of Repentance — a sign that we are called to turn our hearts back to God. Repentance is more than regret; it is a change of direction, producing the good fruit of kindness, humility, and justice.
To view the video of our student reading, click here.
Week 2: A reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Philippians (Phil 4:4-5)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: Rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all.
Blessing
May our Advent God bless the work of all involved in the Good Samaritan ministries in Kiribati.
May God bless us with repentant hearts.
May the nearness of God bless us now and always. Amen.
Refrain
Text: Erica R Marshall 1997
Tune: Maranatha. Erica R Marshall © Willow Connection
All rights reserved. Reprinted under One License#A-640636
Resources used:
Diane Bergant. The Word for Every Season. Reflections on the Lectionary Readings. Paulist Press, USA 2010.
Verna A. Holyhead. Building on Rock; Welcoming the word in Year A. Australia, John Garratt Publishing 2006.
Flor McCarthy. New Sunday and Holy Day Liturgies, Year A. Dublin, Dominican Publications, 2019.
Barbara Reid. Abiding Word, Sunday Reflections for Year A. LTP, Collegeville, Minnesota 2012.
THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT: CALL TO REJOICE
Introduction
We light our third candle, the colour of rose, the colour of joyful anticipation marking the third week of this journey towards our celebration of the coming of God in the flesh.
Lighting of Candle
Click here to view the lighting of the 3rd candle
Click here to listen to the explanation below
This Week 3, we light the Candle of Joy – the colour of rose. A sign that even in uncertainty, we can find hope in God’s presence among us. Joy is not the absence of hardship; it is the deep assurance that God is at work, healing and renewing our world.
To view the video of our student reading, click here.
A reading from the Letter of St James (James 5:7-8)
See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Blessing
May our Advent God bless the work of all involved in the ministry to the women and children of the Good Samaritan Inn.
May God bring hope to all who cry for justice and joy.
May the nearness of God bless us now and always. Amen.
Refrain
Text: Erica R Marshall 1997
Tune: Maranatha. Erica R Marshall © Willow Connection
All rights reserved. Reprinted under One License#A-640636
Resources used:
Diane Bergant. The Word for Every Season. Reflections on the Lectionary Readings. Paulist Press, USA 2010.
Verna A. Holyhead. Building on Rock; Welcoming the word in Year A. Australia, John Garratt Publishing 2006.
Flor McCarthy. New Sunday and Holy Day Liturgies, Year A. Dublin, Dominican Publications, 2019.
Barbara Reid. Abiding Word, Sunday Reflections for Year A. LTP, Collegeville, Minnesota 2012.
FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT: CALL TO GODLIKE ACTION
Lighting of Candle
Click here to view the lighting of the 4th candle
Click here to listen to the explanation below
This Week 4, we light the Candle of Love — a sign that God is with us and calls us to act with courage and compassion, remembering that our lives are an Advent; they are a time of waiting, listening and hoping, a time of openness to the unimaginable gift of God.
Joseph, faced with fear and uncertainty, chose empathy. By protecting Mary and welcoming Emmanuel, he mirrored God’s own love — a love that enters our struggles and restores dignity.
To view the video of our student reading, click here.
A reading from the Coptic Liturgy
Hail Mary, the most beautiful dove, which carried the Word of God for us. We greet you with the Archangel Gabriel saying:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Hail, O Virgin, the glory of our race; you have borne Emmanuel for us.
We pray that you will remember us before our Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessing
May our Advent God bless the donors and supporters of Good Samaritan Ministries.
May God bring hope to all who cry for justice, peace and joy.
May the nearness of God bless us now and always. Amen.
Refrain
Text: Erica R Marshall 1997
Tune: Maranatha. Erica R Marshall © Willow Connection
All rights reserved. Reprinted under One License#A-640636
Resources used:
Diane Bergant. The Word for Every Season. Reflections on the Lectionary Readings. Paulist Press, USA 2010.
Verna A. Holyhead. Building on Rock; Welcoming the word in Year A. Australia, John Garratt Publishing 2006.
Flor McCarthy. New Sunday and Holy Day Liturgies, Year A. Dublin, Dominican Publications, 2019.
Barbara Reid. Abiding Word, Sunday Reflections for Year A. LTP, Collegeville, Minnesota 2012.