Seasonal Prayer -
Catholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors
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Advent 2025 in the Liturgical Year
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Advent is a season of preparation and anticipation in the Catholic Church that marks the beginning of the liturgical year. It is a four-week period leading up to Christmas (November 30 through December 24), during which Catholics prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth and look forward to his second coming. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin Adventus, meaning "a coming" or "arrival"
Always Waiting In Hope
This Advent, when the world can seem so dark, we are called to take a breath, prepare, and seek out hope. Again and again during Advent we wait, always in hope - remembering that Christ is with us, entering our world, bringing light into our darkness.
We invite everyone to participate and be part of the different Advent opportunities and services, listed below, that the Catholic Communities of Oak Park and Neighbors have to offer!
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Advent At Home
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Second Week of Advent
This week, Paul reminds us in the letter to the Romans that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we may have hope. Isaiah speaks of a time when the wolf is the guest of the lamb, a time when a child leads, when there is no harm or ruin on the holy mountain. And in the desert a voice cries out in the wilderness: Prepare the Way. How are we preparing in hope?- If you have a nativity set, consider setting it up this week - perhaps only set up a few figures now and build it throughout the rest of the month.
- Turn off the lights this week when you light the Advent wreath. If you don’t have a wreath, light 2 candles and ponder: How is the light growing? How has God been with you this past week?
First Week of Advent
Beginning November 30th, the First Sunday of Advent, we enter into a time of watching, waiting, and hoping together. As we pray, grow, connect, and serve, our hearts yearn for the peace, joy, and love that Christ brings at Christmas. Come and see!- Pick up an Advent prayer book at any of the churches throughout Oak Park. Create some space every day to strengthen hope through your relationship with God.
- Make the Advent wreath a part of your daily ritual this Advent. Light the first candle and reflect: Where did you see glimmers of light and hope in your life today? Where were you hope for others?
- More information about the Advent Wreath tradition - CLICK HERE
- Advent Activity Guide for Families with Children - CLICK HERE
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During the Second Week - 2025 Advent Opportunities and Services
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HOLY DAYS
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe- Friday, December 12
- 6:30 AM - Mass at Saint Giles Church
- 8:30 AM - Mass at Saint Edmund Church
- 6:30 PM - Bilingual Mass at Saint Edmund Church - MORE INFORMATION
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Advent Reconciliation Service- Communal service with opportunity for individual confession
- Saturday, December 13 at 11:00 AM at Saint Edmund Church
Confessions on Saturdays- Individual confession and absolution on Saturdays - Year-Round
- 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM at Saint Giles Church
- 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM at Saint Edmund Church
MEDITATION AND PRAYER
Contemplative Prayer - Virtual Listening Sessions for Advent- Monday through Sunday during Advent
- Sponsored by the Contemplative Prayer Ministry of St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish - Both Oak Park Parishes are welcome!
- MORE INFORMATION
Advent Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament- Prayer and Silent Reflection - Stop in to enjoy the quiet stillness of Advent In the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament
- Mondays, December 15 and December 22 - 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Saint Edmund Church
- Thursdays, December 11 and December 18 - 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Saint Giles Church
Faith Sharing- Prayer based in the Advent Scriptures
- Tuesdays, December 9 and December 16
- 1:30 PM at Saint Edmund Church
- MORE INFORMATION
Advent Evening Prayer Under the Wreath- Scripture, Song, and Contemplation
- Tuesdays, December 9 and December 16
- 7:00 PM at Ascension Church
- MORE INFORMATION
Advent Circle Garden- Meditative Prayer for All
- Saturday, December 13 through Thursday, December 18
- In the Circle Garden at McDonough Hall at Saint Giles Campus
- MORE INFORMATION
Advent Little Lambs- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for Toddlers and Parents
- Saturday, December 13 at 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM in the Toddler Atrium (Murphy Hall) at Saint Edmund Campus
- MORE INFORMATION
Advent Hope with Claire Noonan, D.Min.- Prayerful Reflection on Hope
- Monday, December 15 at 7:00 PM in McDonough Hall at Saint Giles Campus
- MORE INFORMATION
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
The Giving Tree at Ascension and St. Edmund Parish- Our annual outreach program helps over 400 recipients at Christmas to be able to purchase food, medications, and other essentials. The need for food assistance is at the highest level this season. Your tax-deductible donation will be used to purchase gift cards for Jewel and Aldi, and to make monetary donations to nonprofit organizations who are addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.
- MORE INFORMATION
Remember the Homeless for Christmas - Community Shared Event- On Christmas Eve, we will provide dinners and gifts to two different locations for Housing Forward in Oak Park. We ask that this Christmas, more than ever, you help us to bring the joy of the season to the homeless.
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Christmas Flower Fund at Ascension and St. Edmund Parish- Contribute to the Christmas Flower Fund for Ascension and St. Edmund Parish! - Your gift will help adorn our churches in celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord. Make a donation in any amount or make a remembrance donation of $35 in honor or memory of a loved one.
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Remembrance Poinsettias at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish- Honor Your Deceased Loved Ones - Decorate Our Churches for the Christmas Season - Support St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles’ 2026 ASP Trip... Poinsettia plants purchased in memory of deceased loved ones will decorate our churches during the Christmas season as a reminder of the love of our family and friends who have passed away.
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Luminaria Sale for Oak Park "Light Up the Night" or Christmas Eve - Community Shared Event- Order your Luminaria Kit for “Light Up the Night” or Christmas Eve - $10.00 Kit includes 6 candles, 6 bags, and sand - Pick up your kit from the St. Edmund Garage. Sale benefits the Infant Welfare Society of Clarendon Hills and Spirit and Light Religious Education.
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Have An Eco-Christmas - Community Shared Information- Our two Parish Creation Care Ministries in Oak Park, H.O.M.E. (Ascension and St. Edmund) and Vine and Branches (St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy and St. Giles), offer the following suggestions to make your Holiday Season an Eco-Sustainable Christmas that will minimize its environmental impact through conscious choices in decorations, gifts, and food.
- MORE INFORMATION
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