For the December 2014 Campus Ministry article, I decided to give everyone a break from reading my outpouring by asking four of our Student Campus Ministry members to write a couple of paragraphs on certain liturgical events which fall within the month. In the order in which they will appear here are the topics assigned and the student who has written them: First a reflection on the Season of Advent by senior Kolbe Kennedy, second, a presentation on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8) by senior Sean Kelley, third, a report by junior Nate Hickey on Saint Lucy, whose memorial is Dec. 13 (I chose Lucy because her name is from the Latin meaning light and her light shines out during the darkest time of the year in our hemisphere, and last a reflection on the Feast of Christmas by senior Connor Robertson. I hope you enjoy these writings and that your Advent and Christmas seasons will be holy and full of joy. God Bless. --- Fr. Ronald, Campus Minister Reflection on the Season of Advent by Kolbe Kennedy The Season of Advent has two main purposes according to the Roman Catholic Church. The first purpose of this four-week period is to prepare us for the celebration of Christmas. I am sure everyone has heard, Jesus is the reason for the season. This is a truth we often lose sight of. Catholics are encouraged to use Advent as a time to clean out the cobwebs from our soul so we can be pure and holy as we celebrate the great mystery of the incarnation. The Sacrament of confession is a great way to do this. Until researching this paper, I did not know that the season of Advent is also a time to prepare for Jesus second coming. Whether we like it or not, Jesus is going to come and judge all of us. This penitential period of Advent presents a great opportunity to get right with ourselves, our neighbors, and God. I like to think of Advent as a four-week spiritual training camp. Just as the NFL training camp prepares you for a season, Advent prepares you for the big dance, meeting Jesus face to face. On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Sean Kelley On Dec. 8, Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Many people think that this feast day celebrates Jesus conception but that is not the case. The Immaculate Conception is the celebration of Mary being conceived without original sin. Pope Pius IX said, The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin. It took a while for this doctrine to become universally accepted. Mary became the holiest of the saints and the greatest of the saints. A celebration called the Conception of Mary was first celebrated in a eastern church during the 7th century. This celebration made its way into Europe during the 8th century. Sometime during the 11th century the name was changed to the Immaculate Conception as we call it today. During the 18th century the celebration became a Solemnity and was celebrated through the entire church. Saint Lucy by Nate Hickey Saint Lucy of Syracuse was born around 232 A.D. traditionally. Lucy was born into a rich family, but her father dies and Lucy and her mother are left on their own. St. Agatha was a famous saint that had a memorial close by in a neighboring town of Catania. St. Lucy convinced her sick mother to go with her to the shrine because there had been many reported miracles there. Before visiting the shrine, St. Agatha appeared to Lucy in a dream to tell her that since her faith was so strong, her mother would be cured from her sickness. Lucy used this opportunity to convince her mom to let her give all her riches to the poor, and with a little persuasion her mother approved. The Roman governor at the time, Paschasius, found out about this and Lucy denounced him. Paschasius ordered the Roman soldiers to take her and burn her. Legend has it that when the soldiers tried to arrest Lucy she wouldnt move even when attached to an ox. They just threw logs on top of her to burn her but the logs wouldnt burn. Finally, they got sick of trying to burn her, and killed her with a sword. She became a martyr for the Church. Lucy means light, lucid, understandable, and radiant. The meaning of her name is why she is the Patron Saint of the Blind. She is also a saint that has extremely strong faith. She was so faithful that she didnt take back her religion, and she ended up being tortured and executed for it. A prayer to St. Lucy, according to Catholic.org, is Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let the light of our Christianity illumine our daily lives. Please help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversations -- every corner of our day. Amen. The Christmas Feast by Connor Robertson As dark evergreen trees enter homes of millions, and fathers put on their jolly red suits, and presents lie under the tree, something much greater occurs. Advent often sits dormant in the back of our minds, yet it holds the greatest potential for Christmas joy. The possibilities of revelation, learning, and growing deeper spiritually can occur through dedication to the celebration of Advent and the Holy Days of Obligation. Viewing each day as a step closer to the coming of our Lord allows our minds to welcome God on Christmas and joyfully open our hearts to His graces. But do not let our dedication end on Christmas because the Epiphany stands nearby. Let us celebrate with welcoming hearts for the King of Kings has come, and let this good news continue to fulfill us spiritually throughout the year. Christmas is not just a time of learning and welcoming Christ, but we have the opportunity to answer Jesus like Mary as servants with willing hearts. Christmas has always meant a time of reunion and love for my family. Each year we gather together and challenge ourselves to show them the service and love of Mary throughout Advent. I have always had a loving family that taught the true meaning of Christmas: sharing the word of Christ and showing others how He has come to earth. All of us have the potential to show others Christ this Christmas through the service of others. It becomes a great opportunity for us all to stand together as Christians to welcome Christ and let others see that He is truly alive through us. May all have a merry, blessed, and joy filled Christmas. -- Father Ronald
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 18:02:50 +0000