Adult / Couple
Pray
Thanksgiving Prayer
This Thanksgiving, let those of us who have much and those who have little gather at the welcoming table of the Lord. At this blessed feast, may rich and poor alike remember that we are called to serve one another and to walk together in God’s gracious world. With thankful hearts, we praise our God who like a loving parent denies us no good thing.
From Songs of Our Hearts, Meditations of Our Souls: Prayers for Black Catholics,
edited by Cecilia A. Moor, Ph.D., C. Vanessa White, D.Min., and Paul M. Marshall, S.M.
From Songs of Our Hearts, Meditations of Our Souls: Prayers for Black Catholics,
edited by Cecilia A. Moor, Ph.D., C. Vanessa White, D.Min., and Paul M. Marshall, S.M.
Learn
Thanksgiving Reflection
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, we often take time to reflect on the gifts we have been given and to thank God for them. It is good that we do this. We can take this reflections a step further and focus on how we use these gifts. In this article, the author takes inspiration from the words of Pope Francis as he considers how ours has become a throwaway culture.
Do
Prepare for Advent
We know that Advent is a season of waiting and preparation for Christmas. But do we take the time to prepare for Advent? I find that the times my family best observed the Advent season were those years when I took the time to make a plan BEFORE THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT. Other years, the wreath stayed in the box for days (if it got brought up from the basement at all), the special meal prayer we were going to use got lost, etc. So, take these days before December 1 to make a plan. Here are a few ideas.
Advent Wreath
Here is a blessing for your Advent wreath from the website for the Catholic Bishops of the United States.
Art and Faith
Here is a resource that offers an opportunity to reflect on wonderful works of art inspired by the Sunday scriptures of Advent. The video commentary also comes with transcripts. This is a wonderful way to move through the weeks of Advent.
Praying in Color
A few years ago, "adult coloring books" became a big thing. While the buzz has died down, many adults -- people of all ages really -- have rediscovered the practice of coloring. It can be a calming activity that helps a person to relax. It can also be a way of prayer when all other means of prayer fail. It engages body, mind, and spirit. On her website, Praying in Color, Sybil MacBeth explains her discovery of this way of prayer. Go here to find free, downloadable Advent coloring pages.
Advent Wreath
Here is a blessing for your Advent wreath from the website for the Catholic Bishops of the United States.
Art and Faith
Here is a resource that offers an opportunity to reflect on wonderful works of art inspired by the Sunday scriptures of Advent. The video commentary also comes with transcripts. This is a wonderful way to move through the weeks of Advent.
Praying in Color
A few years ago, "adult coloring books" became a big thing. While the buzz has died down, many adults -- people of all ages really -- have rediscovered the practice of coloring. It can be a calming activity that helps a person to relax. It can also be a way of prayer when all other means of prayer fail. It engages body, mind, and spirit. On her website, Praying in Color, Sybil MacBeth explains her discovery of this way of prayer. Go here to find free, downloadable Advent coloring pages.