Before the lights and carols take over, Advent offers a chance to pause and prepare. In this series, we explore the traditions, symbols, and spiritual practices that make Advent unique. With insights from professors, priests, and people like you, discover simple ways to reclaim this season and celebrate Christmas with purpose and peace. Click here to watch the series.
Waiting in Joyful Hope
Advent comes from the Latin word meaning “coming.” Jesus is coming! Preparation for Christmas is an important theme for Advent, but more is involved. This reflective season gives us a vision of our lives as Christians. In these few short weeks we take in the sweeping panorama of time – from Christ’s birth to his Second Coming. The season of Advent brings us the magnificent vision of life and hope for the future given to us by Christ. It is also our time to become more involved, more caught up in the meaning and the possibilities of life as a Christian community. Thus we are preparing not only for Christmas but also for Christ’s Second Coming. This means that when he comes again, we will be awake and watchful. He will not find us asleep.
Scroll below for many resources to make the most of this season of reflection.
Click here to watch the Busted Halo video “Advent in 2-Minutes”
Prayer and Reflection Resources
Journey through the themes of the beautiful book Behold the Wonder for a fresh and immersive way to enter into Advent. Blending the ancient monastic practices of lectio divina and visio divina, watch the birth of Christ unfold on a contemplative journey to encounter Jesus as Mary did—with wonder, love, and trust. Click here for podcast episodes.
Embark on a powerful journey through Rooted: Rediscover the Jesse Tree with Dr. Scott Hefelfinger. In just 7 minutes a day, explore Scripture, uncover the stories of Christ’s ancestors, and experience meaningful Advent reflections that connect faith to your daily life. Click here to sign up!
God wants to shape and mold us during times of waiting, but the problem is… Instead of waiting, we get worried, anxious. Learn to wait well this Advent, with daily videos from Fr. Mike in the Ascension App (requires subscription). Click here to sign up or learn more about Fr. Mike’s Advent!
Find a complete guide to Advent at Hallow. Find ways to pray and explore this season as we await in joyful anticipation the birth of Jesus. Free resources available for Advent and a free 90 day trial of Hallow is available through registration. Click here to visit Hallow and find information.
This audio series encourages you to pull back from the hustle during Advent and create space for our Savior to come into every area of your life. Approach Advent with an open heart and hope, not only to encounter Emmanuel during this season but throughout the entire liturgical year. Click here to listen to episodes.
Liturgies and Sacraments
What a beautiful way to start the Advent Season! All women are invited to a special Mass to help put hearts and minds in the right place during this busy season. This liturgy will be on Tuesday, December 9th at 6:30 PM in the Main Church. Fellowship and hospitality will follow Mass in the parish narthex. All are welcome!
An Advent Reconciliation Service will take place on:
Tuesday, December 16th at 7:00 p.m.
Reconciliation is also available:
Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. – 4:40 p.m. with extended hours on December 21st. And also available by appointment by calling the parish office.
Join our Filipino community in celebrating the annual event of Simbang Gabi, the nine-day novena Masses leading up to Christmas. This year, St. Mary will offer Mass in the Main Church at 7:00 p.m. on Friday December 19th. All are welcome to this festive celebration! A reception with traditional Filipino foods follows Mass.
Community Events
St. Mary of the Annunciation invites you to this unique event for Advent. Through beautiful Marian music and scripted narrative, participants will be invited to reflect upon Mary’s own physical and emotional experiences during this time to better understand what it must have been like as she awaited Jesus’ birth. Click here for more information.
On Saturday, December 20, 2025, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Santa Claus will be in the narthex in the Main Church. Enjoy crafts, cookies & cocoa, and of course a visit with Santa! No registration is necessary and there is no cost to attend. For this Season of Giving non-perishable food items will be collected. Click here for more information.
Support or local food pantries! Many are in need of food and basic necessities. Let’s make a difference to help those in our community. Click here to see a list of needed items. Donations can be dropped off in the collection carousel located in the Narthex through December 14th. Thank you for your generosity!
Additional Advent Resources
Living Advent 4 Week Guide
Advent should be an intentional season of preparing our hearts and homes for Jesus, and it can help bring focus, deeper meaning, and grace to the holidays. Download the Living Advent guide for a 4-week journey to help families intentionally prepare their hearts and homes for Jesus. Click here to download.
Creighton University Online MInistries
Each year, the busyness of this season serves to distract us from having an Advent season that truly prepares us for the celebration of Christmas, with all its meaning. The site offers simple ways to enter into this Advent season, week by week, in the midst of our everyday lives. Click here to visit Praying Advent.
Prayers Around the Advent Wreath
The parent guide 5-Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath by Lisa M. Hendey offers discussion topics and questions based on the age of your children. Each day of the four weeks of Advent includes topics and questions for young children, middle-schoolers, and teens based on the theme. Click here to download.
Inspiration from Loyola Press
Find articles to inspire you as you live the Advent season, from authors including Tom McGrath, Joan Wester Anderson, Jim Campbell, and Jane Knuth. Browse the articles offered by Loyola Press for a different inspiration each day. Click here for more.
Ignatian Advent Resource
During Advent, we contemplate the First Coming of Jesus as Savior, and anticipate his promised Second Coming. Amid the flurry of Christmas preparations, we look for ways to observe the holiness of the season in our everyday lives.
Arts and Faith: Advent
Loyola Press will provides a short video for each week of Advent about a work of art inspired by the Sunday Scriptures. Use beautiful images and reflections take a new look at this season of hope and preparation through the lens of sacred art. Click image to visit Loyola Press.