Advent resources 2019

The season of Advent begins next Sunday. Ellen Teague has compiled a list of new resources for prayer, reflection and action for use by individuals, parishes, schools and religious communities.

Southwark Archdiocese

Daily Advent Reflections start on Monday 25th November - Click here to sign up to daily e-mails: www.southwarkdsc.org.uk/

Missio

Advent 2019 begins the Year of the Word: The God Who Speaks, an initiative of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. As scripture is foundational to the life of the Catholic Church, the Year of the Word's vision is to celebrate, share and live out our faith through deeper Scriptural engagement.

To support this initiative, Missio has produced two new Advent reflections, encouraging deeper exploration of key seasonal scriptures. Word Made Flesh and Angels, Shepherds and Wise Men are available to download below.

All Missio Advent reflections may be included in an assembly or used to form the basis of a longer Advent liturgy.

Download Missio workshops and reflections here: https://missio.org.uk/advent-and-christmastide/

The Bishops' Conference of England and Wales Global Healing & Global Caring short film-based courses are also ideal to use through Advent for parishes, groups and individuals. They will inform, challenge and equip people to engage with Pope Francis' vital call to 'Care For Our Common Home'. Short courses are ideal as Advent courses. There are also downloadable posters, fliers, newsletter information and leaders guides with numerous more info links for deeper reflection and action.

See: www.ourcommonhome.co.uk/

CAFOD

In this Year of the Word, CAFOD's 2019 online Advent calendar prompts reflection on Scripture, prayer and action throughout the season of Advent.

See: https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Advent-Calendar

Redemptorist Publications

Advent Extra is this year's magazine, including seasonal articles written by leading Christian writers, discussion points and 25 thought-provoking reflections that will aid the spiritual journey this Advent.

Celebrate Advent is a children's magazine designed to be this year's easy way to refocus on the real meaning of Christmas. The magazine has an introductory price of only £1 and includes numerous activities, puzzles, facts and quizzes! It comes with an Advent calendar and activity sheet.

2020 Diary

This hardback diary features a beautiful painting each month and a thought-provoking reflection by Fr Denis McBride, inspired by the Gospel of Matthew. Diary 2020 is A5 in size and has a practical full week to view across a double page spread; each week includes either a prayer, quotation, insight into the artwork for the month or a detail of the month's painting.

Find the Redemptorist resources here: www.rpbooks.co.uk/

National Justice and Peace Network

Prayers and action ideas based on the Scripture readings for each of the 4 weeks of Advent have been prepared for the National Justice and Peace (NJPN) by Anne O'Connor.

One-sided A4:

First Sunday of Advent: 'Be Alert'

Second Sunday of Advent: 'Repentance'

Third Week of Advent: 'Joyful Expectation'

Fourth Week of Advent: 'Saying 'yes' to God's plan'

See: www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/resources/advent-reflections-for-2019/

'An Advent Journey'

Daily actions and reflections based on the scripture readings for each day by Anne O'Connor of National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN)

Just a snippet for each day but food for thought and reflection during Advent.

See: https://jpshrewsbury.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/an-advent-journey.pdf

Pax Christi

Find Pax Christi cards, books and resources here: http://paxchristi.org.uk/product-category/christmas-2019/

Books, gifts and resources will also be on sale at the Pax Christi Christmas Fair Maria Fidelis New School after the annual Advent Peace Service on Monday 9 December 2019 7pm at St Aloysius Church, 20 Phoenix Road, Euston, London NW1 1TA.