Advent Resources and Services 2025

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RESOURCES

CAFOD is offering Advent reflection emails, starting on 30 November, the first Sunday of Advent. They will share scripture reflections, stories of our global family, prayers and practical ideas for action, as we take time to prepare for the coming of Christ.
Advent prayer resources for parishes and schools is also available. See: https://cafod.org.uk/pray/advent-prayers

Catholic Union's Advent Calendar offers short daily thoughts from members and friends. https://catholicunion.org.uk/2025/11/catholic-union-advent-calendar-2025/

Embrace the Middle East invites signing up to receive free Advent Reflection emails and take part in our online Advent Vigils. Details to sign for the vigils come with the emails https://embraceme.org/advent-reflections?

The National Justice and Peace Network offers Advent resources on its website, with readings, reflections and prayers for each of the four weeks on the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love plus a choice of 2 leaflets of services on these themes for parish use. They are produced by Anne O'Connor. You can download these resources from NJPN here:

REFLECTIONS FOR ADVENT HOPE PEACE JOY LOVE www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/resources/7447/attachment/reflections-for-advent-hope-peace-joy-love/

SERVICE FOR ADVENT HOPE PEACE JOY LOVE www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/resources/7447/attachment/service-for-advent-hope-peace-joy-love/. Or www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/category/advent/

The Jesuit Refugee Service resource invites opening our hearts and communities to refugees, recognising the unique value they bring. https://jrs.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025_EN_Advent-resource.pdf

Missio offers new Advent resources for children downloadable from the Mission Together website. The resources include scripture, prayer, craft activities and a call to action. https://missiontogether.org.uk/advent-and-christmas/

The Archdiocese of Southwark is sending out a daily email reflection from Sunday 30 November, scheduled to arrive in your inbox on the morning of each day of Advent. www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/news-events/news/southwark-spirituality- commission-advent-reflections-2025/

ADVENT RETREATS AND REFLECTIONS

Sunday 30 November, 11am-4pm
Seek Hope, Be Hope, Dance Hope
Circle Dance Retreat Day at the FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice, London NW1.
Register at: https://bit.ly/CircleDanceNov25

Monday 1 December, 7.30pm
Light Among the Ruins: Finding Hope in Gaza's Darkness
An online webinar organised by the National Justice and Peace Network and Pax Christi England and Wales, focusing on Israel and Palestine.
https://paxchristi.org.uk/event/save-the-date-online-advent-reflection/?instance_id=1533

Saturday 6 December, 10am-6pm
Young Adults ADVENT RETREAT DAY
Milleret House, 20 Kensington Square, London, W8 5HH
Programme: including talks • prayer, adoration and confessions • faith sharing • mass and social time.
£5 registration fee/ subsidised student places available on request
Register at: www.forms.office.com/e/DQZdYHTm0M

Friday 12 December, 7.30pm
Advent Taizé Prayer
at the FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice, London NW1.
See: www.facebook.com/FCJSpiritualityCentreLondon

Monday 15 December, 4pm, online
Looking ahead with Hope?
A moment of advent formation and reflection for those with a heart for young people, post-COP30 and pre-Christmas.
The FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice and the Columbans invites teachers, youth ministers, chaplains, parents and others concerned for our young people and their futures, for a time of input, prayer and reflection. Will look back at the UN climate meeting in Brazil and forward to the coming of Christ, source of our hope, at Christmas.
Register at https://bit.ly/LookingAheadWithHOPE

Four invitations for a Reflective Advent at the FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice in London. www.facebook.com/FCJSpiritualityCentreLondon

Living Advent in the Spirit of Laudato Si'
Downloadable from the Laudato Si' Movement
https://laudatosimovement.org/news/living-advent-in-the-spirit-of-laudato-si/

ADVENT SERVICES

Monday 1 December, 7pm
Jesuit Refugee Service Advent service
Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, London
Evening of carols, readings, and performances from talented refugee friends.
RSPV to Eileen Cole at uk.outreach@jrs.net

Tuesday 2 December, 7pm
PACT (Prison Advice and Care Trust) Advent Carol Service 2025
Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, London

Friday 5 December, 7.30pm
Peace Prayers for Advent
On line event with Pax Christi and Fellowship of Reconciliation - https://paxchristi.org.uk/event/pax-christi-fellowship-of-reconciliation-online-advent-reflection/

Saturday 6 December, 2pm
Friends of the Holy Land Ecumenical Advent Service
in St Andrew's West Parish Church, Glasgow, praying for peace in the Holy Land. There will be a special live stream broadcast from the Lady of Shepherds Church in Bethlehem, provided conditions on the day allow.

Monday 8 December, 6.30pm
Cardinal Hume Centre Advent Carols.
Music from the London Oratory School Chamber Choir, followed by a reception at their Family Centre. Sacred Heart Church, 112 Horseferry Road, SW1P 2EF. Reserve free tickets by contacting events@cardinalhumecentre.org.uk or calling 020 7222 1602.

Tuesday, 9 December, 7pm
HCPT Carol Service at Westminster Cathedral, London,
Ppen to all and is a traditional part of HCPT's Advent and Christmas events.

Wednesday 10 December 7pm
CAFOD's annual Advent Carol Service
St George's Cathedral, St George's Rd, London, SE1 6HR.

Thursday 11 December, 7pm
SCIAF Carol Service
St Mungo's Church, Parson Street, Glasgow, G4 0RX.

Thursday 11 December 2025, 7.15pm
Stella Maris Christmas Service
at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family (Duke Street, London W1K 5BQ). Presided over by Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, the Ukrainian Eparch, there will be singing of carols from England and Ukraine and prayers for seafarers and fishers. Afterwards, traditional Ukrainian Christmas food and drink.

Thursday 11 December, 7pm
Kennington Bethlehem Link's evening of carols, community and good cheer
in support of work establishing cultural and educational links between Kennington & Bethlehem. https://kenningtonbethlehem.org.uk/

Wednesday 17 December, 7pm
Aid to the Church in Need Carol Service
at the London Oratory, Brompton Road London SW7 2RP.