Photo by Alan M. Dumoff
Parish families participated in the Intergenerational Prayer Service on Sunday, Nov. 28, at the Swedesboro campus of St. Clare of Assisi Parish. Left, the faithful hear about the symbolism of Advent.
An Intergenerational Prayer Service bringing together parish communities from Swedesboro, Paulsboro and Gibbstown took place at the Swedesboro campus of St. Clare of Assisi, on Sunday, Nov. 28. The bilingual celebration included members of the Hispanic Catholic community, with Father David Grover, pastor, leading the prayer service, and Father Rene Canales, part-time parochial vicar and minister to Hispanic youth, giving an Advent presentation.
Workshops for parish families focused on building an Advent wreath, making Christmas cards, making day star crafts, playing Advent bingo, and an Advent reflection by Sister Marty Gentilino, pastoral associate. Afterward, take home kits were handed out with instructions on how families could celebrate the Advent Season in their own homes.
With parishioners from the former parish communities of St. John (Paulsboro), St. Michael (Gibbstown), and St. Joseph (Swedesboro), which form St. Clare of Assisi Parish, the first Advent Intergenerational Prayer Service was an opportunity for “community gathering, and for prayer, fellowship, and the building of a new tradition,” said Pat Patterson, coordinator of faith formation at St. Clare of Assisi.