Preparing for Christ: Advent 2017

Preparing for Christ: Advent 2017

At Christmas, the God who became man is born at Bethlehem.  Advent is the time to prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus into this world and into our hearts.  That journey is one Christ invites to make not alone, but with others.  The Saint Benedict Institute hosted a retreat December 1-2(Friday to Saturday) at Camp Geneva.  Fr. Nick will led the retreat which began with fellowship and dinner. The retreated continued through the night with spiritual talks and discussions, silence and adoration, mass and confession. 

Sr. Miriam Inspires Hope College

Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, inspired Hope College this week with a series of talks.  On Tuesday night, Sr. Miriam led a workshop entitled, "Called to Love: A Heart Fully Alive," where she discussed John Paul II's Theology of the Body with Hope College women.  One of the participants, Rebecca Pavlock, said, "This was easily in the top five best things I've ever done at Hope."  Another student shared, "This is exactly what I needed right now in my life."The following day, Sr. Miriam spoke to a thousand students in Hope College's chapel.  Her theme was "God's Masterpiece" and she brought the house down.  You can listen to her inspiring talk here.  Even President Knapp thought she was great.

Later that evening, Sr. Miriam led the annual Saint Benedict Forum Lent Retreat where she spoke on "Merciful Like the Father: Living in Forgiveness and Freedom."  Over a hundred people crammed into Western Seminary's Mulder Chapel to listen to Sr. Miriam's beautiful words.  Her talk was followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confession, and Mass. On the walk back to the car after the retreat, two students stopped us and said what everyone was feeling: "Sr. Miriam!  You were so awesome today.  You have no idea how much you touched people.  Everyone has been talking about you all day.  Seriously, you have message that people really need to hear and reached a lot of people with it today.  Thank you."

SR. MIRIAM JAMES HEIDLAND, S.O.L.T. is a popular speaker on the Theology of the Body, authentic love and conversion, the healing power of Christ, and the dignity and beauty of woman.  She is the author of Loved As I Am: An Invitation to Conversion,  Healing, and Freedom through Jesus (Ave Maria Press, 2014).

Advent Retreat: Preparing for Christ

Nativity Icon

Advent is a time to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. On Saturday, December 6, the Saint Benedict Forum hosted a retreat to help all of us get ready for Christmas. Students and parishioners enjoyed an abundant breakfast spread before listening to a beautiful talk by Dr. Jack Mulder on the meaning of waiting, suffering, and adoption.  Dr. Jared Ortiz also offered a reflection on what Advent and Christmas might look like through the eyes of Mary.  After each talk, students and parishioners shared personal thoughts and experiences on the themes of the talks.

There was a holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament during which two priests were available for confession.  The retreat ended with Mass.