Daughters of Divine Charity – Together We Live in the Legacy that is the Daughters of the Divine Charity

Advent

Week 1

AN ADVENT CHALLENGE

The first Sunday of Advent marks the end of the liturgical season of ordinary time, and we begin a new liturgical year. In this season of Advent 2023, I propose a challenge.

1. Celebrate Christmas and the Incarnation of Christ with joy; and

2. Reflect on the end of time; and ask if you will be ready when He returns.

Advent is a season of preparation and waiting. Mother Church reminds us during Advent to prepare for Christ's second coming, and to examine our own lives and ask, "Am I ready for my own death? Am I ready for judgment when Christ comes again?"

"Are we laboring to make our lives conform to His?" Thomas A. Kempsis, Page 15, Imitation of Christ.

Bishop Barron explains, "Christianity in a certain sense is a religion of fulfillment. The Lord has come, the Incarnation and the Resurrection have taken place. It's happened already. But in another sense, Christianity is permanently a religion of waiting, because we wait in joyful hope for the second coming of the Lord. That's why there is a permanent Advent quality to the Christian life."

There are 106 references in the Bible to waiting. Most of us, and society at large, does not like to wait. Life is faster than ever, and a sense of immediacy infects every aspect of our lives. Reflect on today's readings, does anything resonate with you?

Isaiah 63:17, "Return for the sake of your servants."

Psalm 80:8, "Give us new life."

First Corinthians 1:6-7, "As the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord, Jesus Christ."

Mark 13:33, "Jesus said to his disciples, 'Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.'"

In His word, we are reminded to be aware of God's presence and to continue in love and faith until he comes again. That is the true meaning of preparing for and celebrating Christmas.

Week 2

PREPARATION AND WAITING

On the second Sunday of Advent, the readings again focus on preparation and waiting. Isaiah 40:3, "A voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord!"

The Second Letter of Saint Peter 3: 13- 14, "According to his purpose we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteous dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before Him, at peace."

Mark 1:3-4, "Prepare the way of the Lord. John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance and the forgiveness of sins."

The readings direct us to two things: how to live the life of a disciple of Christ and preparing for Christ's return. Preparation takes on a dual meaning in this season. During this season we prepare in a practical sense, and we prepare in a spiritual sense. The difficulty is that many of us focus more on the practical and not the spiritual.

Servant of God, Catherine De Hueck Doherty, founder of the Madonna House, addressed this in a wonderful meditation about her experience of Advent as a child in Russia. She writes of the preparation of her family in the home with activities such as cleaning and cooking; and contrasts that with what was done in her family and in the parish church to prepare spiritually.

Her family fasted before the first Sunday of Advent, attended parish prayer services, and sang in celebration of Christ's Incarnation as well as the with expectant hope for His return.

As we clean, celebrate, and give, welcoming our family and friends into our home, we may want to do the same for our souls by welcoming Christ into our hearts. Perhaps go to confession during Advent to truly open your soul to the gift of God's presence and grace. Spend time with your family in prayer. Perhaps have an Advent wreath marking the Sundays in Advent or a Jesse Tree to teach your children or grandchildren about the forerunners of our faith. Spend less. Donate more to others and give gifts to the less fortunate. We not only have to give money, but we can give our time and presence to others and Christ. Spend time in front of the creche gazing in love and wonder.

Carve out time to reflect on what in your life is preventing you from growing more intimately with Christ. Ask yourself if He came in the midst of your cleaning, baking, wrapping, shopping, would you be ready and at peace?

Week 3

Week 4

Advent

AN ADVENT CHALLENGE

PREPARATION AND WAITING

It is with sadness that we share with you the news that Sister M. William McGovern, F.D.C. was called home to Jesus on Holy Thursday evening, April 6, 2023 at St. Joseph Hill Convent.

She faithfully served God and neighbor as a Daughter of Divine Charity for 65 years making “God’s love visible” to all with whom she encountered throughout the years.

May she rest in eternal peace.

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Advent

AN ADVENT CHALLENGE

It is with sadness that we share with you the news that Sister M. William McGovern, F.D.C. was called home to Jesus on Holy Thursday evening, April 6, 2023 at St. Joseph Hill Convent.

She faithfully served God and neighbor as a Daughter of Divine Charity for 65 years making “God’s love visible” to all with whom she encountered throughout the years.

May she rest in eternal peace.

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