Advent 2006

Dear Children of St. Catherine's Parish,

Now that the month of December is almost here, our excitement for Christmas is growing. Before Christmas, however, we celebrate the special season of Advent. During Advent, we begin a special journey (or trip) with Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Jesus asks us to "Come and Journey With Me". Are you ready to begin this special adventure? You don't need to pack your suitcase! All you need for this trip is a heart full of love, and a willingness to share your loving heart with others. You can do this by doing kind and loving acts for your family, friends, classmates, and neighbors. On the back of this letter, you will find a calendar with suggestions to help you on your "journey of love". As you see on this calendar, your journey leads you to the baby Jesus.

This Advent we are going to bring our loving hearts to Church to decorate the path to Jesus. Have Mom or Dad bring you to Church to pick up a special paper heart ornament that you will find in a basket at the front of the Church. Look for these hearts the weekend of December 2/3 through December 16/17. Bring your heart home and decorate it. Put your name on the front of the heart and on the back write one of the special kind acts you have done this Advent.

Bring back your decorated heart to Church by Monday, December 18 and put it back into the basket. Your ornament will be one of many that will decorate the Church's bulletin board. Look for it at Christmas.

Just like Mary and Joseph's trip, sometimes our journey of love will be hard to do. Pray to Mary and Joseph for help to be loving this Advent. They are our best examples of how to be loving and giving people. They will help you on your journey to Jesus. Just like the shepherds and the Wise Men, we will all find Jesus, the Light of the World, and loving Prince of Peace.

God Bless You,

The Road to Christmas