Advent Features
During Advent, time to ponder
By Most Reverend Robert P. MaginnisAuxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia When you walk through an art gallery, it is common to see couches opposite some paintings so people can sit and really “drink in” the beauty before them. The skill of “drinking in” a picture requires time and discipline. Works of art need more than a […]
Hispanic Advent tradition gaining popularity in Archdiocese
By Lou BaldwinSpecial to The CS&T En el nombre del cielo os pido posada pues no puede andar mi esposa amada.(In the name of Heaven I beg you for lodging, for, my beloved wife cannot walk.) – traditional Mexican posada song The Advent celebration of Las Posadas (The Inns) has to be one of the […]
Joy is forever
By Most Reverend Joseph R. CistoneAuxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia “I’ve got that joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart…Down in my heart to stay!” Children sing this song with great enthusiasm and proclaim: “I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.” Herein lies a deep truth about the gift of “joy.” True joy […]
Patience – it’s Advent
By Most Reverend Joseph P. McFaddenAuxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia As we enter into the second week of Advent, the Church continues to call us to embrace a spirit of watchful waiting and patience as we anticipate the second coming of Jesus Christ our King in all His glory at the end of time and at […]
Advent traditions of one Downingtown family
By Christie L. ChicoineCS&T Staff Writer DOWNINGTOWN – Praying the Christmas novena is a treasured tradition of John and Donna Kurtz’s family of St. Joseph Parish in Downingtown. “It’s a magnificent time,” John said. “We call upon the Holy Spirit to draw us closer to Jesus and to contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation … […]
Using Advent to connect with inactive Catholics
By Nadia Maria SmithCS&T Staff Writer Several parishes throughout the Archdiocese will be offering a special Advent program designed to reach out to inactive Catholics before Christmas. The event called “Do you hear what I hear?” is an evening of caroling, trivia, fellowship, prayer and surprises that will help anyone celebrate Advent. “People listen to […]
An Advent S.O.S.
By Most Reverend Daniel E. ThomasAuxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia We are all familiar with that international Morse code “S.O.S.,” universally recognized as a warning or distress signal. Most people have come to know it as “Save Our Ship.” We are also all too familiar with the fact that, once again this year, even before Halloween, […]