ADVENT2018A RESOURCE FOR

PARISH COMMUNITIES

www.caritas.org.au/advent

CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATION

caritas.org.au/advent

ADVENT 2018Hope, Peace, Joy and Love

Parish Resource

This resource invites participants to journey through the four weeks of

Advent, reflecting on the Gospel and sharing in the stories of our sisters and

brothers around the world.

There are resources available on our webpage for use in Primary and

Secondary Schools and Young Adults at: www.caritas.org.au/advent

Each week of Advent has

been organised into the

following components:

• Advent wreath: lighting

of candles and prayer

• Gospel reading

• Gospel reflection

• Caritas Australia story

• Story reflection

• Faith in action

• Suggested song

• Closing prayer

Caritas Australia is the international humanitarian relief and development

agency of the Catholic Church in Australia. Through effective relationships

with the Church, local partners and communities in the Middle East, Africa,

Asia, the Pacific and Australia, Caritas Australia helps to end poverty,

promote justice and uphold dignity. Our programs, advocacy and education

initiatives promote the dignity of every person, regardless of religious,

political or cultural beliefs. We envisage a world in which children, women

and men most vulnerable to extreme poverty and injustice are architects of

their own sustainable development.

Advent marks the beginning of the

Church’s new year and is a season of

waiting and preparation. In fact, this

season of Advent focuses on Christ’s

threefold coming—past, present and future.

• We await and prepare to celebrate the

birth of Christ at Christmas.

• We hope and give thanks for Christ’s

presence within us and in the Word and

sacraments.

• We look to the future, waiting for Christ

to come again.

In the coming four weeks we prepare with

mounting expectation for the coming of

Christ in a spirit of waiting, conversion and

hope.

About Caritas Australia

Resource Structure About Advent

CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATION

caritas.org.au/schools

Introduction

CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATIONcaritas.org.au/schools

Advent Wreath

Making the Advent Wreath a daily custom

The word ‘Advent’ means ‘coming’.

Lighting the candles on the wreath

symbolises the coming of light (Jesus)

into the world. The first candle (violet)

represents hope, the second (violet)

peace, the third (rose) joy, and the

fourth (violet) love. The central white

candle is lit on Christmas Day and

represents Christ. This Advent we will

learn, act and pray for a more just and

fair world – a world full of hope, peace,

joy and love.

The Advent wreath helps us keep

our thoughts focused on the

coming of Christ at Christmas, it

should be integrated into our daily

lives. If you don’t have an Advent

wreath you can make your own,

instructions can be found at:

www.caritas.org.au/advent

Everyone gathers around the

wreath and someone lights the

candle(s). Leader prays the Advent

wreath prayer for the week.

Global Gifts- Cherish the miracle of motherhood

Send a message to those you

love and give to mothers and

babies in need. When you

choose a Global Gift this

year, your compassionate

gifts are bringing hope,

peace, joy and love to women

and children by funding

training programs and

supplies that our midwives

need to help mothers give

birth safely - and provide

expert care before and after

babies are born.

“The season of Advent, which we begin again today, restores this horizon of hope, a hope which does not disappoint for it is founded on God’s Word. A

hope which does not disappoint, simply because the Lord never disappoints! He is faithful! He does not disappoint! Let us think about and feel this beauty.”

Pope Francis

Order your card online at: www.caritas.org.au/globalgiftsor call us on: 1800 024 413

You could give community

access to the clean, safe water

needed to clean birthing tools

and equipment, wash newborn

babies after birth, and sustain

the miracle of motherhood.

You could give food that

would nourish new mothers,

and help babies grow up

healthy and strong.

You could empower people to

support themselves by

teaching them sustainable

farming practices – and give

mothers, babies and entire

communities a brighter future.

WelcomeLeader: Explain the structure for each session as outlined in the ‘Introduction’

(p.2). Introduce Caritas Australia as the International aid and development

organisation of the Catholic Church in Australia. Explain that through sharing

the stories of the people with whom Caritas Australia works, we can

acknowledge that we are all part of one global family. You could use our ‘What

is Caritas?’ PowerPoint presentation for more information or watch this 4 min

video from Caritas Internationalis.

What is Advent? Introduce the season of Advent by watching this video ‘Advent in two minutes’.

Suggested prayerGod of hope, as we light this first candle on our Advent wreath

may we be filled with your everlasting hope. May your spirit

guide us as we continue to work toward a world free from poverty

and give us discernment to know the needs of our neighbours.

Amen

Gospel Luke 21:25-28. 34-36

Leader: Ask the participants to sit comfortably, feet flat on the

floor, hands in laps, shoulders relaxed. Explain that you (or

someone in the group) will read the Gospel and they are asked

to really listen to the words and think about what the Gospel is

saying to them (Gospel reading can be found on the next page).

CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATIONcaritas.org.au/advent

Luke 21:25-28. 34-36

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on

earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men

dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be

shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great

glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high,

because your liberation is near at hand.

‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness

and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will

come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all

times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with

confidence before the Son of Man.’

Gospel Reflection Leader: Open up the conversation by inviting participants to share what they

feel the Gospel is saying to them. Alternatively you can use the guided

reflection questions below.

Guided Reflection Questions:

• This week the Gospel tells us to ‘stay awake’. What is Jesus asking of us when he says

this?

• Can you recall the advice Jesus gives to help his disciples, when he asks them to ‘stay

awake’? How can we follow this same advice in our own lives?

• Advent is a hopeful time where we wait patiently. Identify a time in your life that you have

struggled to wait patiently? How did you overcome this hurdle?

• This Advent, how can we prepare as people of hope and faith?

• Choose a symbol that comes to mind that summarises the true meaning of this Gospel

passage.

• Identify your greatest hope for the future of our world.

• Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year. Describe why and how new beginnings can

be important and can bring hope to people?

CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATIONcaritas.org.au/advent

“I would like to become the best ophthalmologist,

as sight is the most important thing in our lives. If it wasn’t for

sight, we would not be able to read, write or

learn.”Bayan

Suggested song/video clipAvril Lavigne: Keep holding on

Closing PrayerHopeful God,

you are always patient and you share with us the true meaning of hope for our

future. Guide us to follow your lead as we patiently wait in this season of Advent.

We pray for our brothers and sisters who are hopeful for an opportunity to learn

and build a better life. May we always appreciate the gift of education. Continue

to help us to carry out all that you have called us to do.

In your name we pray, Amen

Faith in Action• Create an Advent Calendar of ideas to help others on a daily/weekly basis.

• Find ideas and information about the Share the Journey campaign.

• Organise a fundraising event, a Solidarity Walk, to raise awareness of

refugees like Bayan.

• Show solidarity by participating in the refugee pilgrimage/simulation.

• Hold an information session to draw attention to the issue. Use the Syrian

Refugee Crisis resource.

ReflectionThe conflict in Syria is now the largest

displacement crisis in the world since

World War II. Over half of the country’s

pre-war population has been forcibly

displaced. An estimated 5.6 million

people are seeking refuge. Poverty

rates for refugees exceed 80% in some

countries. March 15, 2018 marked the

start of the 8th year of conflict in Syria.

Pope Francis believes we need to be

people who bring hope to others.

How does this quote inspire you? Will

you be a person of hope this Advent?

How can you create awareness and

‘open up a horizon of hope’ on Human

Rights Day, December 10, 2018?

CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATIONcaritas.org.au/advent

“Today too… amid so much darkness, we need to see the light of hope and to be men and women who bring hope to others. To protect creation, to protect every man and

every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love, is to open

up a horizon of hope; it is to let a shaft of light break through the heavy clouds; it is to bring the

warmth of hope!”

Pope Francis, Inaugural Mass, March 19, 2013

WelcomeLeader:

Welcome the participants and ask them to reflect upon the first week of Advent.

Advent WreathIf you have an Advent wreath, begin by lighting the first two violet candles: the

candle of hope and the candle of peace.

Suggested prayerGod of peace, as we light this second candle on our Advent wreath

may we be filled with your everlasting peace. Help us create a

community where justice and peace may flourish. Grant us

forgiveness for the times our thoughts, actions and words were

filled with conflict and negativity. God as we prepare for the coming of your Son, may we continue to seek the way that leads to peace.

Amen

Gospel Luke 3:1-6

Leader: Ask the participants to sit comfortably, feet flat on the

floor, hands in laps, shoulders relaxed. Explain that you (or

someone in the group) will read the Gospel and they are asked

to really listen to the words and think about what the Gospel is

saying to them (Gospel reading can be found on the next page).

CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATIONcaritas.org.au/advent

Luke 3:1-6

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of

Judaea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the lands of Ituraea

and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the pontificate of Annas and

Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. He went

through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the

forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah: A

voice cries in the wilderness; Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.

Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, winding ways will be

straightened and rough roads made smooth.

And all mankind shall see the salvation of God.

Gospel Reflection Leader: Open up the conversation by inviting participants to share what they

feel the Gospel is saying to them. Alternatively you can use the guided

reflection questions below.

Guided Reflection Questions:

• What is the main idea of this weeks Gospel?

• How could you reorganise your life to ‘prepare a way’- during times of hardship to

feel at peace with God?

• What would you like to ask God’s forgiveness for?

• How does seeking forgiveness impact on your relationship with God?

• Commit to 3 things in your life that you would like to improve on.

• The theme of Advent this week is peace. Identify a world issue that demonstrates a

lack of peace. Which Catholic Social Teaching Principles are not being upheld

(Human Dignity, Common Good, Solidarity, Subsidiarity, Participation, Care for our

Common Home, Preferential Option for the Poor)?

CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATIONcaritas.org.au/advent

Suggested song/video clip Ben Harper and Jack Johnson: With my own two hands.

Closing PrayerPeaceful God,

you invite us to share in your peace. We seek your guidance to be peacemakers

in our communities. We pray that all nations around the world will live in harmony

and be blessed with unlimited opportunities. We thank you for our brothers and

sisters who strive to help others to live peaceful lives. May we continue to share in

your ministry of peace and reconciliation.

In your name we pray, Amen

ReflectionDinia struggled every day to get food and

enough money for her children to go to school.

• How would your life be different if you did

not have an education? How would you

feel?

Pope Francis encourages us to preach peace.

• How has Caritas Australia preached peace

to Dinia and her community? Can peace be

achieved without love?

• How can you improve your life and the lives

of others to live more peacefully? Can you

find an opportunity to be ‘poor among the

poor’ and to ‘include’ the ‘excluded’?

Faith in Action• Be an agent of peace and help others in your local community enjoy the spirit of

Christmas this year.

• Commit to participating in mindfulness exercises to build inner peace, such as;

meditation, yoga, mindful walking, breathing exercises and mandala colouring.

• Create a set of affirmation cards, that could include quotes, scripture, proverbs

and ideas to promote peace in your community.

• Live more simply this Christmas, use the money saved to buy a Global Gift,

supporting communities like Dinia, to create sustainable livelihoods for

themselves.

“We must restore hope to young people, help

the old, be open to the future, spread love. Be poor among the poor. We

need to include the excluded and preach

peace.”

Pope Francis, 2013

CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATIONcaritas.org.au/advent

WelcomeLeader:

Welcome the participants and ask them to reflect upon the second week of

Advent. Did they ‘repent’ and improve their lives and seek forgiveness?

Advent WreathIf you have an Advent wreath, begin by lighting the first two violet candles and the

rose candle: the candle of hope, the candle of peace and the candle of joy.

Suggested prayerGod of joy, as we light this third candle on our Advent wreath may

we pray for cheerfulness and a generous heart. May your spirit

guide us this Advent, as we strive to find the joy in the highs and

lows of our days. God, you are the source of joy in the world, let us

bring this joy into our homes, our work and everyone we meet. We

ask this prayer in Jesus’ name.

Amen

Gospel Luke 3:10-18

Leader: Ask the participants to sit comfortably, feet flat on the

floor, hands in laps, shoulders relaxed. Explain that you (or

someone in the group) will read the Gospel and they are asked

to really listen to the words and think about what the Gospel is

saying to them (Gospel reading can be found on the next page).

CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATIONcaritas.org.au/advent

Luke 3:10-18

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

When all the people asked John, ‘What must we do?’ he answered, ‘If anyone has two

tunics he must share with the man who has none, and the one with something to eat

must do the same.’ There were tax collectors too who came for baptism, and these said

to him, ‘Master, what must we do?’ He said to them, ‘Exact no more than your rate.’

Some soldiers asked him in their turn, ‘What about us? What must we do?’ He said to

them, ‘No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay!’ A feeling of expectancy

had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the

Christ, so John declared before them all, ‘I baptise you with water, but someone is

coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of

his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fan is in his

hand to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he

will burn in a fire that will never go out.’ As well as this, there were many other things he

said to exhort the people and to announce the Good News to them.

Gospel Reflection Leader: Open up the conversation by inviting participants to share what they

feel the Gospel is saying to them. Alternatively you can use the guided

reflection questions below.

Guided Reflection Questions:

• Describe in your own words how the people were feeling as they questioned John the

Baptist.

• Why could John the Baptist be mistaken for the Messiah that the people had been

waiting for?

• Can the Gospel model mercy and compassion and motivate you to bring joy to

vulnerable people and communities? How could you action this?

• What joy can you see in this story? How can we be leaders in our community and share

the joy of Advent with our neighbours?

• John is asking people to have a change of heart. Whose heart could you help to change

this week? What approach would you take and how will it bring joy to each of you?

• How do we experience God through other people and in different situations?

CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATIONcaritas.org.au/advent

Suggested song/video clipThe Greatest Showman musical: A million dreams

Closing PrayerJoyful God,

you bring us joy during the Advent season as we await the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

May we share this Good News with our family and friends. We pray for those who

have lost you in the maze of life, let them know once more the joy of coming home.

Help us to care for the common good of all.

In your name we pray, Amen

ReflectionMarta was able to turn her life around and bring

greater joy to her family. Through Caritas Australia’s

skill building program, Marta has been able to be

the architect of change in her own life. Pope

Francis explains the joy in change and also

encourages us to reach out and embrace

opportunity and turn our life around.

• Pope Francis refers to ‘some needs that only

diminish us’, identify what some of these needs

may be in your life?

• Describe some possibilities that are open to you

in this season of Advent.

• List qualities you see in Marta, that you too will

need, to turn your life around?

Faith in Action• Bring joy to vulnerable communities this Christmas by supporting food hamper

appeals.

• December 20, 2018 is International Human Solidarity Day, a day where we can

celebrate the unity in our diversity. Every single person is special and is made in

the image of God. What small act of kindness can you offer to make someone

feel as special as God immediately believed we were when he created mankind?

• Share the joyful story of Marta and her family with others.

• Share the gift and joy of education and volunteer to read at a local primary

school or community group.

“Happiness means knowing how to limit some needs which

only diminish us, and being open to the many different

possibilities which life can offer.”

Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ #223, 2015

CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATIONcaritas.org.au/advent

WelcomeLeader:

Welcome the participants and ask them to reflect upon the third week of Advent.

Advent WreathIf you have an Advent wreath, begin by lighting the first two violet candles, the

rose candle and the final violet candle: the candle of hope, the candle of peace,

the candle of joy and the candle of love.

Suggested prayerGod of love, as we light this fourth candle on our Advent wreath, fill

us with your everlasting love. We ask for guidance Lord as we open

our lives to others, share their laughter and tears, and grow day by

day in love. Teach us to love sincerely the people of our nation and

every race on earth. We ask this prayer in Jesus’ name.

Amen

Gospel Luke 1:39-44

Leader: Ask the participants to sit comfortably, feet flat on the

floor, hands in laps, shoulders relaxed. Explain that you (or

someone in the group) will read the Gospel and they are asked

to really listen to the words and think about what the Gospel is

saying to them (Gospel reading can be found on the next page).

CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATIONcaritas.org.au/advent

Luke 1:39-44

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of

Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as

Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was

filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are

the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be

honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting

reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who

believed that the promise made to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

Gospel Reflection Leader: Open up the conversation by inviting participants to share what they

feel the Gospel is saying to them. Alternatively you can use the guided

reflection questions below.

Guided Reflection Questions:

• Elizabeth describes Mary as ‘blessed’. Explain why she would think this.

• Elizabeth felt honoured to be visited by Mary, the mother of our Lord. Imagine how Mary

would have felt to hear this. Recall a time when you have felt honoured by something

someone has said to you. How did this make you feel?

• Mary demonstrated her commitment to God and believed in him. How can you continue to

follow God and believe in his love?

• List Mary’s qualities that help her to be a committed and loving disciple of Jesus. Compare

these qualities to those you believe that you have.

• The Gospel tells us of two strong women of great faith who encounter each other. To pay

respect to these brave and faithful women, identify two brave and faithful women in your

own life that you can celebrate this Advent.

• In the modern world where digital communication between our loved ones is more

prevalent than ever before, how can you defend the need to meet and communicate with

friends and family face to face?

• Think of a way that you can share the love within your local community.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA EDUCATIONcaritas.org.au/advent

“The aim was to create a partnership between

business and traditional landowners, that would reduce climate change

effects across the country.”

Rowan Foley

Suggested song/video clip Michael Jackson: Earth song/Man in the mirror.

Closing PrayerLoving God,

you continue to love each of us generously and sincerely. Let the love of your Holy

Spirit be in our hearts. As we draw nearer to the celebration of Christmas, direct our

thoughts, words and actions today so that we may care for and protect our common

home and each other. May people know through us the power of Jesus’ love.

In your name we pray, Amen

ReflectionRowan and many communities affected by

climate change are responding with

resourcefulness and courage.

• What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?

How does Rowan show courage and how is

he responding to God’s call to be a disciple of

Christ?

• Can you identify the Catholic Social Teaching

principles evident in the the work of the

Aboriginal Carbon Fund?

Faith in Action• Engage with your local council to get involved in a sustainable environment

action, for example; community indigenous tree planting, clean up day, reducing

your greenhouse footprint by taking public transport or walking to school/work.

• Together we can learn, share and find solutions to climate change injustice.

Suggest simple ways you can promote climate justice in your own home, school,

work and local and wider communities. You may want to list one item you will

reduce, one you will reuse and one you will recycle.

• Take part in Caritas Hearts for Climate and send your love letter for climate

justice.

• Access resources on the Our Common Home campaign page for more

information, including a climate justice action kit exploring Pope Francis’

encyclical Laudato Si’ and climate frontline stories.

“As disciples of Christ, we have a further reason to join with all men and women of

good will to protect and defend nature and the

environment. Creation is, in fact, a gift entrusted to us

from the hands of the creator.”

Pope Francis, 2014

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