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The Christian's version of "New Year's Day" is the First Sunday of Advent, when we begin again the entire cycle of the year. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Even as the secular culture around us blares its songs of reindeer and tinsel, as if Christmas were already here, the Christian calendar sets aside four weeks of quiet preparation.
Advent has a two-fold character: as a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ's first coming to us is remembered; as a season when that remembrance directs our mind and heart to await Christ's second coming at the end of time. Advent thus is a period of devout and joyful expectation. The Advent wreath is part of our long-standing Catholic tradition.
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Annual Giving Tree
Our annual Advent tradition of the Giving Tree begins the weekend of November 24, 2024. Coordinated by the Sisterhood of St. Joseph, this community outreach provides those in need with a little brighter Christmas (this may be the only gifts they receive). As in the past the “wish lists” were obtained from Catholic Charities of Portage County. To participate, please select a tag (remember to sign the list), shop, and return your wrapped gifts to the Narthex with the tag securely attached and visible by Sunday, December 8. Assembling of the family gift bags will take place on Monday, December 9.
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Live Nativity
(no event in 2024)
St. Joseph Church will present a Live Nativity on Saturday, December ?, from 6 to 8 p.m. Come out and enjoy a live reenactment that really makes the first Christmas come alive. Donations of cash or non-perishable items for the local food cupboard will be kindly accepted. Volunteers to serve as actors, greeters, carolers are needed. Live animals would also be a wonderful addition to our event. To volunteer or for more information, please contact Kathy Paroff (616-723-3091 or [email protected]).
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Portage Deanery Communal
Penance Service
As we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas we want to be ready to accept his love and be able to do whatever he asks of us. In order to do so, the Church encourages the parish community to come together to hear the Word of God, to pray and to sing in a formal liturgy called the Rite of Penance (Penance Service). Gathered together we recognize our individual sinfulness and the harm it does to the whole community, and so, pray for one another as well as for ourselves. With song, prayer and scripture we ready ourselves for the opportunity for private confession and absolution.
Portage County Deanery
Communal Penance Service
Wednesday, December 18, 2025
7 p.m. @
Immaculate Conception Church
Ravenna
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