CHURCH SOCIAL TIPS
Dec. 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and for many Catholics there is confusion around if the conception is Mary’s or Jesus’. To be clear, the Immaculate Conception is about the Mother of our Lord being conceived in the womb of her mother without the stain of original sin. So, no angel appearances or anything, just God planning who would be the worthy mother of his son.
Dec. 8 is also a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics. Since 2006, I have always observed this day on Maui at Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina with my now deceased husband, and to also celebrate his birthday. I am feeling such grief that this tradition is lost for me because of the fires. May we especially pray for the intercession of our Blessed Mother for healing in the shadows of loss for so many on the island and for peace in our world.
Prayer to the Queen of Peace
Most holy and immaculate Virgin, Mother of Jesus and our loving Mother, being his Mother, you shared in his universal kingship. The prophets and angels proclaimed him King of peace. With loving fervor in our hearts, we salute and honor you as Queen of peace.
We pray that your intercession may protect us and all people from hatred and discord, and direct our hearts to the ways of peace and justice which your Son taught and exemplified. We ask your maternal care for our Holy Father who works to reconcile the nations in peace. We seek your guidance for our president and other leaders as they strive for world peace.
Glorious Queen of Peace, grant us peace in our hearts, harmony in our families and concord throughout the world. Immaculate Mother, as patroness of our beloved country, watch over us and protect us with your motherly love. Amen.
We are also a week into the Advent season and for those who are procrastinators I am sharing some online tools to guide you through your journey.
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: Advent Calendar — www.usccb.org/resources/Advent-Calendar-2023
The USCCB Advent calendar has helped me really absorb and reflect on the meaning of the readings.
Hallow: Advent Pray25 with C.S. Lewis — hallow.app.link/htQascsn5Eb
The Hallow app is such a wonderful tool for helping Catholics year-round engage in prayerful practices. In my busy life, having a notification come to my phone enables me to STOP what I am doing and retreat to a prayerful place.
Dynamic Catholic: Best Advent Ever — www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent.html
Dynamic Catholic has provided powerful and engaging reflections for the season of Advent for nearly a decade, and again, signing up for the series allows you to receive a notification via email.
Catholic Icing: Advent crafts for kids and families — www.catholicicing.com/advent-and-christmas-with-kid/
As a grandmother, Catholic Icing provides some great ideas for me to share with the littles easy and engaging ways to celebrate the feast days of the season and simple Catholicity.
Busted Halo: Advent Photo Challenge — bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/2023-instalent-photo-challenge
Lastly, I looooove the Busted Halo Advent Photo Challenge! When my husband died in 2021 and I was on Maui, finding images listed on the days of my visit was so fun and it helped me be mindful of the season.
These five online tools have helped me to fold into my day a thoughtful or prayerful activity to draw me closer to Christ each day of Advent.
Whatever path you choose to follow this Advent may it lead you to a closer connection to Christ at Christmas.
Sherry Hayes-Peirce is a Catholic social media consultant based in California.