Advent at Iona College

Isaiah 45:8 Artwork: Br. Kenneth Chapman

Office of Mission and Ministry LaPenta 217

Advent Reflection by Carl Procario-Foley Office of Mission and Ministry

Advent is a season of hope, a season of expectation, a season in which we celebrate a central reality of our faith: that light shines through the darkness. Br. Chapman’s painting on the cover makes this abundantly clear. A people in darkness have seen a great light, this is the song our faith proclaims in this very season as we journey to Christmas through the winter solstice on the darkest days of the year. The light which is God’s love, God’s fidelity will carry us, sustain us, and bring us through all darkness – this is the gem of our faith which has been passed on to us and lived out age after age since the scriptures were first written. God’s love, God’s fidelity carries us through the darkness. What signs and symbols might we take to heart in our academic community this season? Perhaps the ones before us: a brilliant light and an evergreen wreath. They summon us beyond our comfort zones to be light, warmth, hope and nourishment for one another.

Advent Reflection by Christina Carlson, English

I love the way the liturgical year takes its cues from the seasons. In November, as the leaves fall and the harvest is gathered in, we take the time for remembrance and gratitude. We begin with All Saints and All Souls - we think back on our beloved dead, and we bless and thank them for the gifts, spiritual and material, that they have left for us. We end the month with Thanksgiving, a secular holiday that nevertheless gives us the opportunity to thank God for the many gifts given to us food and family, shelter and security. November looks back--on the year, on those who have gone before us - and their impact on the present. In our commercial world, it seems Santa barely has time to pull up in his sleigh outside of Macy’s on Thanksgiving Day before we are caught up in the rush toward Christmas. But for those of us who follow the liturgical seasons, we know it is time to wait. The first Sunday after Thanksgiving, more often than not, is also the first Sunday of Advent, a period of hushed anticipation. As the days continue to grow colder and darker, we look for the Light, marking the passage of the weeks with a circle of candles that symbolizes His eternal presence. On December 21, we experience the literal darkest day of the year, and then it passes away - three days later (coincidence? I think not) we celebrate the entrance of Light into the world, in the form of a baby named Jesus, born to Mary in the town of Bethlehem. So if November is about looking back, December is about looking ahead: to a new calendar year, to the return of longer days, to the birth of the Christ child. Of course, the liturgical year, like the seasons, is cyclical, so every year that passes gives us the chance to look back in remembrance, to give thanks in the present, and to look ahead to a time when Light will re-enter the world and time will be no more. We are waiting still… Pray online at: www.sacredspace.ie or www.pray-as-you-go.org

Advent Reflection Fr. Frank Dixon, Office of Mission and Ministry Dare to Hope this Advent hope: verb transitive 1. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence to believe, desire, or trust: (I hope that my work will be satisfactory.) hope against hope: to hope without any basis for expecting fulfillment Hope: Christian theological virtue the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help At the beginning of each fall I hope that the Washington Redskins will win the Super Bowl. I desire with the reasonable confidence of every NFL fan that my team will prevail this year. By the end of November (this year is no exception) I find that I hope against hope that the Redskins will make it to the playoffs or at least finish the season strong. I no longer ‘hope’ because I no longer have a reasonable confidence that they will succeed because their seasonal record/history does not inspire confidence. To truly hope one must desire, believe and trust. In the fullness of the meaning of the word: I hope that each of you will do well with the challenges of the end of the semester. I am confident that you can and will succeed in your endeavors. I have confidence in your abilities. I know that when you apply yourself to the tasks ahead that you will be successful. I also hope that you hope you will do well. Remember that hope is not for the faint-hearted and that hope requires action on our part to make the reality we desire come to fruition. Remember in the weeks to come: When you feel overwhelmed by the workload, Dare to hope. When you dread meeting those deadlines, Dare to hope. When you feel anxiety about finals, Dare to hope. Dare to hope and work to succeed. I offer this hope-filled message because we are entering Advent, a season of Hope. Advent is a time when we Hope with a capital “H”. We desire or long for the future coming (advent) of Christ when all things will be made new and all creation will be reconciled with God and with one another. This future good seems beyond our reach but we can believe wholeheartedly that it can and will be attained with God’s help and in His time. We can believe because God has promised this to us and God has proven by His past record/history that He does not disappoint. Advent also is a time when we look forward to the celebration of God’s fulfillment of His long awaited promise to send a Messiah in the birth of his Son, the coming (advent) of Christ in the past. Advent yet again calls us to prepare the way of the Lord by opening our hearts so that God may be more fully present in our lives today, the present coming (advent) of Christ. May we each do our part to make this Advent Season one that is filled with longing and anticipation. My greatest hope this Advent is that we Dare to Hope!

Advent Reflection Margaret Smith, Education

When asked the question “What does Advent mean to me?” I thought, this will be simple; however, the more I thought about it the less simple it seemed. So I thought some more about Advent in the Church Year, I thought about the Advent Wreath, and the idea of waiting for Jesus. Finally, I realized what Advent means to me: it is about celebrating that Jesus was human. The Divine-Human nature of God in Jesus is part of the teaching I grew up with, but I suddenly realized how important celebrating that Jesus lived a human life is to me. I am able to think about not just His birth, but all of the other human moments of the Gospel. So often, I feel, that I think about Jesus’ parables and miracles, and too often I forget he endured the same human worries I face. It is celebrating the human side of God that brings special meaning to the Advent Season for me.

Prayer on the anniversary of the death of Thomas Merton (12/10/1968) “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

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Events During Advent Daily Mass is offered in the Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel, 12:30 pm, Monday – Thursday, Student reflections at Daily Mass

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Sunday Mass, 6 pm, Holy Family Church (November 29, December 6, 13)

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December 1 & 8, 1 pm, LifeTalk Where Faith & Life Meet, contact Daiana ([email protected]) LaPenta, Prayer Room

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Wartburg Senior Center Visit, December 2, 5:30 pm contact Meghan ([email protected])

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Prayer Group, November 30, December 7, 8pm, LaPenta TV Room

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Women of Wisdom, Women’s discussion group, November 30, 8 pm, LaPenta Prayer Room, December 7, 8 pm, Pot-luck at Montgomery House

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Lighting of the Creche outside of McSpedon Hall and Home for the Holidays in Mulcahy Gym, December 3, 4:30 pm

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Midnight Run - December 4, (clothing and toiletries) will be accepted until 5 pm in LaPenta 217

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Advent Mindfulness, December 4, Noon, Jeanne Anselmo, Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel

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Project Bro - visit with the elderly Christian Brothers at St Joseph’s. Meet Anthony in the lobby of LaPenta at 2:30 pm, December 4

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Abraham House tutoring - Tutor elementary school students. Contact Alysha ([email protected]) or Ashley ([email protected]) December 4, 2pm

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Boys and Girls Club, December 4, 4 pm, contact Kori Li for information ([email protected])

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St Bernard's Project, December 5, Noon, contact Caroline for information ([email protected])

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Alumni and Family Mass, December 6, 10:30 am, Spellman Hall, Burke

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Dinner Unplugged, “Unsung Heroes”, December 7, 5 pm, Montgomery House

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Taize Prayer, December 7, 8:30 pm, Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel

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Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, Noon Mass, Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel

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Las Posadas program, December 8, 6:30 pm, Montgomery House _______________________

Advent Reflection by Jack Breslin, Mass Communications

So many years Christmas seems to sneak up on us. Thanksgiving, exams, grading, travel, shopping, family – and suddenly we’re washing the Christmas dinner dishes. Advent gives us time to prepare. Four weeks to pause and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and its promise.

Advent Reflection Michele Sampson-Nelson, Off-Campus and Commuter Services It is only recently that I have started to understand the importance of the Advent season. In the past I saw the wreaths with the four candles, but the meaning of the season did not resonate with me. The weeks leading up to Christmas are busy…students taking finals, people rushing to buy and mail last minute gifts, holiday cards starting to arrive, and travel plans being finalized. Occasionally a winter storm adds chaos to the chaos… However, as I get a little older and have realized that life never slows down, the spirit of the Advent season resonates with me, and I need it. I am reminded that this beautiful season of hope (not optimism, but Biblical hope) and preparation is a time to pause, reflect, and engage in not only the true meaning of Christmas, but also in the true meaning and purpose of our lives. It is a time to look to the past, present, and future with faith and gladness in God’s love and presence. As we take the month-long Advent season to prepare for the anniversary of the Lord’s birth, begin the new liturgical year, and reflect on God’s amazing mystery, I hope this year that we (I) will also take this time to reground our relationship with God, plan for a year ahead more aware of God’s grace and love, and be grateful for the many blessings in our lives. Artist Henry Ossawa Tanner - The Annunciation

Advent Reflection by Stephen Hill, Office of Mission and Ministry Paradise is the ground beneath mothers’ feet. This line from the play “Unveiled” during the Week of the Peacemaker struck me as deeply profound and has stayed with me for weeks. I think that this line is pregnant with meaning to help us glimpse the beauty and profundity of the Advent season. The central figures of the Advent Gospel narratives all point us to the ground beneath mothers’ feet. Mary of Nazareth was invited by the Creator of the Universe to bear the Christ and become the Mother of God. Mary’s “Yes” enables each of us to say “yes” to God’s invitations to draw close to our frail, but graced, bodies and lives. Let us be encouraged by this young woman’s magnanimity and stand with Mary as we wait for the Lord and ponder God’s movements in our lives. Maybe pray the Rosary this advent? John the Baptist also features prominently in the Gospel readings. We are told that “he leapt in his mother’s womb” when he encountered Mary pregnant with Jesus. John is a man of action and prophesy who urges us all to make straight the paths for the Lord. Let us heed John’s call to make a searching and fearless inventory of our moral and spiritual lives. Do not be afraid to ask for the Spirit of God to grant you freedom to become detached from that in your life that does not lead to the deepening of God’s life in you. Finally we come to the fruit of Mary’s womb – Jesus the Christ. How immeasurably generous is God’s gift to us – the God Human, the Messiah! I invite you to sit with the simple incarnational mantra from the Eastern Christian Monks of the ancient world: God became human, so that we can become like God. Advent is a molasses paced season that does not match our hectic, consumerist driven holiday season. How sad, because what beauty and deeply rich gold there is to be found when we stand on the ground beneath Mary’s feet and wait for Jesus to be born in our hearts. Do not be afraid to say “yes,” for peace is only found in “Yes.” Photograph by Rick Palladino

Advent Reflection by Rick Palladino, Ryan Library

Advent is, ideally, a season a joyful anticipation of and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. But Advent is also a period of waiting amid a bustling world which has come to expect immediate results, and so the season can be an adventure at times just getting through it. Ultimately, Advent is a time for reflection, centering, and prayer to prepare oneself in order to be able to genuinely enjoy, and perhaps more importantly, to be an active contributor/messenger of the true meaning of Christmas.

What is Las Posadas? Las Posadas is a nine-day celebration beginning December 16 and ending December 24. Posada is Spanish for “lodging” or “accommodation” or “shelter”; it is said in plural because it is celebrated more than one day. The nine-day ‘novena” represents the nine months of pregnancy of Mary carrying Jesus. This tradition re-enacts Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Join us on December 8, 6:30 pm, Montgomery House to learn more.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Story - The Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe 12/12. On Tepeyac Hill near Mexico City, Our Blessed Lady appeared to Juan Diego, an Aztec Indian. She revealed herself to him as “the Ever Virgin Mother of the True God” and made known her desire that she wanted a church built there. She sent him to see the bishop of Mexico City and request her desire. The Bishop did not answer Juan Diego’s request but after a few times of Juan Diego going to see him, the bishop asked Juan Diego for a sign. On December 12, when Juan Diego was on his way to bring a priest to his dying uncle, Our Lady appeared to him for the fourth time. She told him to gather fresh roses in his tilma (cloak). When Juan Diego opened up his tilma to show the Bishop, there was a painted upon it a miraculous beautiful image of Our Lady exactly as she had appeared on Mount Tepeyac. Soon after, began the building of the church on top of Mount Tepeyac. The Basilica in Mexico City is under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Juan Diego’s tilma, is still preserved and can still be seen behind the main altar in the new Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady of Guadalupe came as a “merciful Mother,” a healer and restorer of all who are broken in body and in spirit. (www.sancta.org)

Advent Reflection by Kathleen Deignan, CND, Religious Studies

Immaculata I have always thought it an interesting coincidence that the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the feast of the Buddha’s enlightenment, Bodhi Day, both share the date, December 8th. Where Catholics have dogmas laboring to decode mystery, that other tradition comes to fuller understanding of the mysteries of existence by way of what they call koan - engaging riddles, provocative questions that if lived into awaken insight and fuller understanding of life. Questions have a great magical power. A question is a seed which grows in us and it changes us as it grows, just like pondering what we call “a mystery.” And there is one such koan we might borrow from the Buddhists as a way to move into the real question or conundrum this feast of the Immaculate Conception poses for us today. There is a famous question that Zen masters would give to new students: "What is your original face before your parents were born?" Just as the Christian Desert Fathers and Mothers would give a young disciple a word to ponder and probe in their formation, the Zen masters would give their students these challenging riddles that if asked over and over again, would at some point break open the mind of the disciple and flood it with understanding, which in turn could never be really put into words, but could be experienced and lived. We cannot explain the meaning of “our original face before our parents were born,” but Buddhists say it can be experienced, and that the experience yields great clarity and energy for living. Perhaps, analogously, this is the promise of our feast, which is not just saying something about Mary as one privileged historical person, but may be saying something about all of us as mystical persons. Perhaps in the radiance of this mystery we receive some similar illumination about our true nature before we were born, and like Mary, we behold ourselves whole, undistorted, reflecting the beauty and goodness of our Creator. In the realm of mystery – which is to say in the realm of God - there is no such thing as time, no past, no present, but an eternal duration that is NOW. Might it be that what we say of Mary’s sinless nature is the deepest truth of the divine image which is our true essence as well? And might it not be perhaps a word about our original nature laboring to be reborn by the practice of our Christian life that opens us to gratuitous grace?

Advent Taize – Monday, December 7 8:30 pm Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel What is Taize? Taize Prayer is a quiet and meditative candlelight prayer experience involving chanted songs, Scripture readings, and periods of silence. This particular spirituality comes from the ecumenical (inter-Christian) monastic community in Taize, France where over 100,000 young adult pilgrims from all around the world visit every year.

Advent Reflection Br. J. Kevin Devlin, Center for Student Success Reconciliation comes at what cost? There were two coaches who really got along wonderfully well. For reasons that no one knew, they stopped talking with one another and went their own ways. Many of their friends and student athletes were surprised but kept their thoughts to themselves. A number of years later there was a ten year reunion to celebrate a championship both had shared as coaches. The rest of the team was concerned on how they would react when one saw the other. As the celebration began, one of the coaches was already at the honoree table. As the other coach approached the gathering he saw the other coach and began to back away. The other coach said,” No need to back away, if you are staying I am going!” The former Captain of the team called for a moment of truce. He then spoke.” You two were models for all of us and then you separated and we were all hurt and surprised but were afraid to mention anything. What happened that your friendship changed and ended? The one coach said “ I will tell you what happened” He looked at his former colleague and said ‘You had a party and you invited all our friends and you never invited me and I was very hurt.” The other coach said “Really? I threw a surprise party for you and you never showed up.” Years ago on television was a wonderful Comedy team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. They made movies, had a prime television program on Sunday evenings at 8.00 o’clock and has Las Vegas Acts. Then they split up. Years later when Jerry Lewis was on television running a Labor Day Telethon, Frank Sinatra walked on the stage with Dean Martin. When they saw each other, they walked to one another had a long strong hug and were in tears at this reconciliation. When asked what had caused their break-up, they could not remember. We are asked in the Scriptures, Not to let the Sun go down on our anger. During this time of Advent, it might be a good time to send a Christmas Card to anyone we wish to reconcile with.

Advent Reflection Susan D. Toliver, Sociology

Advent is a season of preparation and of waiting for the wonder, the joys and promises that Christmas holds. As such, it is a busy time. As we prepare and anticipate what is to come, it is important to remember to take time from the flurry of activity to reflect on our blessings, and, to take time to be mindful of others. Extending small kindnesses to those around us enlivens the spirit and true meaning of the season.

Advent at Iona - November 29 - December 25, 2015 S unda y

M onda y 30

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1 12:30 pm Mass Reflection: CSA

First Sunday of Advent 6 pm Mass (Holy Family)

T ue sda y

W edn e sda y 2

12:30 pm Mass Reflection: Speech Club

Elderly Outreach - 5:30 pm

Lighting of the Creche and Home for the Holidays 4:30 pm

Advent Mindfulness - Noon Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel Project Bro - 2:30 pm Abraham House - 2 pm Boys & Girls Club - 4 pm Midnight Run

Matthew 15: 29-37 “...and they glorified the God of Israel.”

Matthew 7: 21, 24-27 “ … it had been set solidly on rock.”

Matthew 9:27-31 “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”

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Second Sunday of Advent 10:30 am Alumni Mass 6 pm Mass (Holy Family) (Commissioning of Iona in Mission winter trips) Info Session for Student Minister positions 2016-17 following 6 pm mass Luke 3:1-6 “Prepare the way of the Lord.”

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W.O.W. - 8pm Matthew 4:18-22 “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

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12:30 pm Mass Dinner Unplugged, Unsung Heroes - 5pm Prayer Group - 8pm W.O.W. - 8pm (pot luck supper) Taize Prayer - 8:30 pm

Luke 5:17-26 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.”

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Luke 10: 21-24 Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception Noon Mass Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel Life Talk - 1 pm Las Posadas - 6:30 pm Montgomery House Luke 1:26-38 “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

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9 Reading Day 12:30 pm Mass

12:30 pm Mass

Luke 3:10-18

St. Bernard’s Project - Noon

Matthew 9: 35-10: 1, 5A, 6-8 “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

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12:30 pm Mass

Matthew 11: 28-30 “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11: 11-15 “Jesus said to the crowds: ‘Amen I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist.’”

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The “O" Antiphons O wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come teach us the path of knowledge!

The “O" Antiphons O Leader of the House of Israel giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue is with your mighty power!

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Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Matthew 11:16-19 “Look, he is a a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’”

Luke 1:26-38 “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

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12:30 pm Mass

Last weekday mass

Matthew 21: 23-27

Matthew 21: 28-32

“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’

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Luke 7:18B-23

“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

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CHRISTMAS The “O" Antiphons O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come free the prisoners of darkness!

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Anniversary of the death of Thomas Merton

6 pm Mass (Holy Family)

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Sa tur da y

12:30 Mass

Third Sunday Advent

“Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.”

Noon Info Session for Student Minister positions 2016-17 Conference Room 1

12:30 pm Mass Reflection: Hellenic Society

Life Talk - 1pm Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. “

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12:30 pm Communion Service Reflection: Edmund Rice Socity

Prayer Group - 8pm

T hur sda y

The “O" Antiphons O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

The “O" Antiphons O King of all nations and keystones of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

The “O" Antiphons O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come and save us, Lord our God!

The “O" Antiphons O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!