Advent
Some links to help you live of Advent.
We encourage you this Advent to prepare yourself for Christ's coming by choosing to make a new resolution in prayer, in spiritual reading or in study. The following resources may be of assistance to you.
Due to low interest we will not be running this as a parish programme in 2023. However, you are able to access the video content via formed.org (just click on the image to your right) and the reflection questions can be accessed via the button. We encourage you to take some time to reflect this advent and perhaps even discuss the questions with your spouse or a group of friends.
To access the videos you need a free subscription to formed.org
Click the button below and type our parish name 'Catholic Parish of Christchurch West'
Something for Families
We are grateful to Jesus Youth New Zealand for sharing with us an advent companion for families called ‘Journey to Bethlehem’, a program that aims to prepare children to welcome Baby Jesus into their hearts this Christmas. Journey to Bethlehem is primarily for children between the ages of 5 and 12 and consists of Do-At-Home activities. All the activities will be sequential, split and spread over four weeks until Christmas.
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
A Short Reflection
What is the best way to prepare for the season of Advent? Fr. Mike Schmitz wants to remind us that Advent is not just about preparing for Christmas. It’s also about preparing for Christ’s Second Coming. One day we will meet Christ face to face. Advent is the stark reminder that we need to get ready for eternity. With that in mind, what if you prepared as if December 25 will be the day you die?
A Weekly Reflection from Formed.org
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas," or, at least that's the assumption based on that familiar holiday song. But what does that look like at your house? Four short videos one for each week of Advent explore the mystery of the Incarnation, the Virgin Birth, and the events surrounding the arrival of Jesus, this Advent study offers an opportunity to experience the joy of the true meaning of Christmas.
Songs for Advent
This beautiful collection of Advent songs and hymns is dedicated to all those awaiting the coming of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Recorded live by Sunday 7pm Choir and Friends at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Ajax, Ontario, Canada.
An Advent Calendar for Families
An Advent Calendar prepared for families by Jesus Youth. Each day there is a something for families to do to help them prepare well for the Christmas season. We will have some printed and available at the back of the Churches.