Prepare
Advent at the St. John Paul II Parish Family
During Advent we recall the Annunciation when Mary was overshadowed by the power of the Holy Spirit and conceived Jesus in her womb. At Mass we can observe something very similar. During the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest calls upon the Holy Spirit to overshadow our simple gifts of bread and wine. By the power of the Holy Spirit, these gifts become the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s a powerful parallel!
In this final year of the Eucharistic Revival, designated the Year of Mission, the revival of our own missionary spirit, centered on the Eucharist, is needed to bring the Gospel to all those in our sphere of influence.
Journeying together through Advent
Connect with us
during Advent
Before Advent Begins
Such a profound occasion was the Eucharistic Congress for the whole Church in the United States — 60,000 gathered for this generational event in Indianapolis — that we want to bring some of its powerful moments and moving experiences to our parish family. On the evenings of November 8, 15 & 22 (all Fridays, 6:30 - 9:00 PM), you are invited to come to St. Mary of the Assumption for fellowship, a video talk from the Congress, discussion, prayer and adoration. Sign up to join us for all three evenings or to attend as you can.
Recognizing that the final year of the Eucharistic Revival is a year of outgoing mission, our Advent preparation as a parish family will involve becoming equipped to take up the mission of evangelization in the most straightforward and simple way possible: one-to-one.
There is someone in your life right now whom Jesus longs to call to himself. He wants to spark a relationship with them and bless them with his sacraments. In this year of mission, Catholics across the U.S. are saying “yes” to a special form of heart-to-heart accompaniment called the Walk With One initiative. This is your opportunity to be God’s instrument in the life of another person. Imagine how our families, neighborhoods, and country will be transformed if every active Catholic answers this call!
Walk With One
This year for advent we will be focusing on the mission initiative of the final year of the Eucharistic Revival, called Walk With One. This initiative focuses on equipping us to take up the mission of evangelization in the most straightforward and simple way possible: one-to-one. During the four weeks of Advent we will highlight four steps on how to “walk with one” person to a new or renewed experience of God’s love. Join us in this opportunity to answer God's call and to be an instrument in the life of another person.
Identify
Prayerfully begin to discern whom God is calling you to accompany. Before you begin the process of inviting someone into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church, spend time in prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide you in this process. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the person that he wants you to accompany. Consider going to Eucharistic adoration or committing to a period of silent prayer in a church to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you.
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Getting Started:
• Write down a list of people you know and pray over the list
• Visit our Lord in Eucharistic adoration and ask him to show you whom to reach out to
• Do a novena to the Holy Spirit asking for increased discernment and guidance
Intercede
Pray for the grace to be able to accompany the person whom the Lord has laid on your heart. Now that the Lord has identified a person whom you know, commit to pray for them for a specific period of time, asking God to open the opportunity for a conversation. Pray for any struggles the person might be facing with brokenness or sin, and for any obstacles that might impede this person from drawing closer to Jesus and exploring the Catholic faith more deeply. Consider offering a holy hour or a novena of prayer for that person
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Getting Started:
• Write down the person’s name on a sticky note and keep it in your wallet to remember during prayer
• Ask for God to open the heart of the person you are called to meet, to be receptive to him
• Offer a Mass or a holy hour for the person
Connect
Look for ways to accompany the person you have prayed for, to build a deeper relationship, and to practice the art of empathetic listening.
Eucharistic friendship builds upon the dynamic that Jesus revealed in his relationships with the disciples and, above all, at the Last Supper—he takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it. It is important to take or receive what the other person has to share, to bless or lift it up in prayer, to let the Holy Spirit help break open an area for potential growth, and then to give of yourself in response. It is also important to recognize that this may not be a “one and done” conversation but is more likely to be a series of conversations and invitations, developing a real friendship with that person. Find an appropriate time to begin growing in your friendship, perhaps over coffee or lunch. Listen deeply for promptings from the Holy Spirit as you get to know your friend’s joys and struggles. Share with them some of your own.
Listen respectfully when the conversation turns to spiritual matters, including their relationship with God and questions or concerns about the Church, and reserve judgment about their opinions. Some people might be ready to discuss the spiritual life after only a conversation or two, while for others it might take more time.
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Getting Started:
• Meet up for coffee
• Share lunch together
• Plan a weekly phone call with someone you plan to walk with throughout the year
Invite
Follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit to invite him or her to a concrete next step in fostering a personal relationship with Jesus and the Church.
It is important to remember that it may not be easy to invite a person to come to Mass, particularly someone who has been away for some time or someone who has had no religious formation. It may be better to begin with an invitation to a parish small group experience, a service opportunity, or a social event. For those who need healing or an experience of God’s merciful love, an invitation to accompany them to the Sacrament of Reconciliation could be appropriate.
If you discern that inviting the person to Mass is the best next step, encourage them to come with you and your family or with a group of friends. Your invitation could be as simple as: “Our family/my friends and I always look forward to celebrating Sunday Mass. It is a source of strength and hope for us, and it reaffirms our trust in Jesus. My family/friends and I would love for you to come with us. We are going to the 10:30 am Mass at St. John Parish on Sunday, and you are welcome to come with us to Mass and to lunch afterwards. If you need a ride, let me know!”
If the person shuts down the conversation, do not take it personally. Maybe they are not yet ready. Follow up with a statement that keeps the door open. “I understand. Thank you for talking with me about this. If you ever want to talk about your faith, I am always here for you.” No matter what the outcome is, keep persevering in your friendship and ask the Lord to continue to guide you. After every encounter, thank God for the conversations that you have been having and remember to keep this person in your prayers.
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Getting Started:
• Invite the person to a Bible study or book club group
• Invite a person to join you for Mass and coffee afterward
• Invite the person over for dinner where you could have a personal conversation and share your faith
Our Lady of Good Hope | (937) 866-1432
Office Hours: M, TH, F | 10:00 am-3:00 pm
W | 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
St. Mary of the Assumption | (937) 557-1711
Office Hours: M-F | 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
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St. Henry | (937) 434-9231
Office Hours: M-F | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Bishop Leibold School | 937-434-9343
Bishopleibold.org
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