The  Advent “Take 15” Challenge is a cluster-wide initiative sponsored by the Faith Formation Commission to kick off the liturgical year while incorporating our 2024-2025 parish vitality goal of Deepening Our Prayer.  The Commission is challenging everyone to commit 15 minutes of their day to praying with Scripture.
 
At the beginning of Advent, we distributed an Advent calendar that cites a Scripture passage from the readings for the Mass that day.  You might still be able to find some copies in the entrance of church.  However, you can also find the daily reading on the US Bishop's website here.  In fact, you can sign up on their website to have the readings emailed to you each morning. How easy is that!?!
 
We encourage you to reflect on the Scripture readings by using one or more of the prayer forms described below.  We hope you will find this Advent Challenge rewarding and that it will be the spark to ignite your prayer life this Advent season!
 
Lectio Divina
A way of praying that involves a reflective reading of Scripture that focuses on Four R’s:  reading, reflecting, responding, and resting.

1. Reading:  Read the passage slowly.  Read it several times, picking out words or phrases that resonate with your heart.

2. Reflecting: Ponder the words and phrases that resonated with you and reflect on what they mean and what they mean to you.  What is God saying to you?

3. Responding:  What do you want to say to God?  Speak to Him.

4. Resting: Sit and rest with the Word.  Enjoy the comfort and silence of God being present with you.  What is God saying to you?
 
Contemplative Prayer
A way of praying that relies heavily on the imagination and our senses.

1. Select a passage from Scripture.  Read it once to become familiar with the passage.

2. Enter the reading.  Read the passage a second time and imagine yourself as one of the people in the story. Experience the story as that person.  What do you see, feel, smell, hear, or taste?

3. React to the story.  Read the passage a third time.  Pay close attention to your feelings and how others in the story react to your character.

4. Pray through the story.  After imagining yourself as part of the passage, consider what you want to ask God for in prayer.  Is there an area in your life where you need forgiveness?  Is there someone you need to forgive?  How is God calling you to grow as His disciple?

Journaling
Read the daily Scripture passage and then    journal about what you read.  You can choose various ways to writing:  free writing, composing a letter, or a dialogue between you and God.  
 
Rote Prayer
If, after reading the daily Scripture, you desire more time in prayer, you might consider adding rote prayer to your daily prayer life.  Rote prayers include those we have memorized, as well as devotional prayers such as the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet.  Novenas and litanies are other examples of rote prayers that can be helpful to us.

Finally...

When you come to Mass each weekend during Advent, we want you to make a visual commitment to pray for 15 minutes each day during the upcoming week.  There will be displays set up in each of our churches with an Advent wreath with paper candles.  If you are willing to commit to 15 minutes of prayer each day of the upcoming week (or to add 15 minutes to what you are already doing for daily prayer), please sign the candle for that week!  Let's "light up" our cluster with prayers this Advent!